“The face of President Florentino Perez says it all” was a phrase repeated on television, radio and in print in Spain on Sunday evening and into Monday morning, after Real Madrid were defeated 5-2 by Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super cup. However, there is more to read between the lines in Perez's expression, as the latest figures from the Spanish capital show.
Although Carlo Ancelotti is in no immediate danger of losing his job, Real Madrid are considering action. Diario AS reports that Real Madrid will re-evaluate entering the January transfer market to strengthen the squad in light of the events in Jeddah. Aurelien Tchouameni proved he struggles as a centre-back on big occasions, and Lucas Vazquez was featured again at right-back – those are the two areas Real Madrid will look to improve in the transfer window.
The club are considering entering the market – whether it is a renewed attempt to sign Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold or not. Their other alternative is to recommend Ancelotti double down on the talents of Castilla's academy. Raúl Asencio has shown signs of promise and he could be an answer in central defense.
Depending on how his recovery progresses, David Alaba could be the final answer in the home stretch of the season, with his return scheduled for this week. Asencio has certainly looked home in his performances this season, although Ancelotti is fiercely loyal to Tchouameni and has shown a tendency to use senior options where possible.
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