Real Madrid got a big blow on Tuesday evening through Arsenal, but based on images that originated from Jude Bellingham and reports from Spain, it can be a bigger blow to Carlo Ancelotti than it seemed for the first time.
The Gunners pulled something of a shock result at the Emirates to take a 3-0 lead in the draw for the second stage, thanks to two fine free kicks from Declan Rice and a Mikel Merino goal.
The Gunners were small favorites on their way to the game, but few would have predicted such an impressive result, given the heritage of Real in the competition and the star quality they can brag.
Yet the hosts largely had control for the most part of the game and left them with one foot in the semi -final, and are already tipped by OPTA as the most likely side to win the entire competition next month.
However, Madrid was left in the aftermath of the result, in which Bellingham openly admitted that his side was 'happy' not to lose more, and the midfielder was also filmed in a strange interaction with his boss during the game.
Ancelotti talks to both Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga on the touchline and seems to pass on a tactical tweak to his two midfielders.
Bellingham, however, seems to disagree and shakes his head to Ancelotti before he returns to the action, apparently not convinced.
Although there are probably countless examples of players who disagree with the input of a manager, Marca has claimed that it summarizes 'the despair' of the players on the field.
They further insinuate that the manager wanted to instruct his players about how they could regain control of midfield and dampen the energy of Arsenal's press.
In order to be possible with the suggestions of a manager about how to disconnect control in a game that they could eventually lose, might speak a lack of support from the dressing room.
Spanish reports have also claimed that the future of Ancelotti is now almost over at the club after the defeat.
The leaders of Real Madrid are supposed to consider Ancelotti to be a club icon – and rightly, with three champions competitions -Lala Doubles in the Bernabeu – although his position is said to be under pressure earlier this season.
Real made a bad start to the season, in which Kylian Mbappe struggled in his first months in the club, and they had heavy defeats against their nearest rivals during the campaign.
After they were scraped to the last-16 via the play-offs, they needed fines to beat Atletico Madrid, and have now admitted 12 goals in their last five games, including eight in three home games.
One report from the Spanish Outlet Relroo claimed that the Italian legend was 'fatally wounded' on Tuesday evening, with his side now that there is a risk of missing both the competition and the Champions League titles.
The report claims that he has had difficulty finding the right balance in his team this year after so much success in the past term, and that despite the fact that there is still a chance in his own country, the long -term presence of Ancelotti at the helm now seems unlikely.
It is thought that the potential availability of Xabi Alonso – still under contract with Bayer Leverkusen, has long been connected to a Bernabeu -referee – added further pressure to the position of Ancelotti.
There is still the chance of a comeback against Arsenal, and Real only Trail Barcelona in the interior with four points, although the Italian will probably have to draw on every ounce of his enormous experience at the top of the game to play things next week.
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