Real Madrid’s Defensive Struggles Give Arsenal Hope Ahead of Champions League Clash
Real Madrid head into their highly anticipated UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal with plenty of attacking firepower—but growing defensive concerns that the Gunners will be eager to exploit.
After a surprising 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia in La Liga over the weekend, questions are mounting around Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The loss was Madrid’s 10th in all competitions this season—a sharp contrast to last year’s dominant campaign when they lost just twice en route to winning both La Liga and the Champions League.
Despite having some of the world’s most dangerous forwards, including Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo, Madrid’s vulnerability at the back is raising alarms ahead of their visit to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Mbappé Shines but Leaves Gaps Behind
Kylian Mbappé’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain was supposed to elevate Real Madrid to another level—and in many ways, it has. The French superstar already has 33 goals this season and has added a new dimension to Madrid’s attack.
But his inclusion has also changed the balance of the team. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that the team is “much more effective up front” with Mbappé, but they are now “suffering at the back” as a result. The loss of midfield maestro Toni Kroos, who retired last summer, has also contributed to Madrid’s struggles in controlling games and shielding the defence.
Ancelotti’s tactical shift toward a more attack-focused system has left his team exposed, and opponents have found it easier to score against them than in previous seasons.
Defensive Frailty Exposed
The numbers don’t lie. Real Madrid have already conceded 31 goals in La Liga this season—five more than they did in the entire 2023–24 campaign. Their normally reliable backline has been anything but.
Injuries have played a significant role. Long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão have left a void that has yet to be fully filled, while David Alaba only recently returned from injury and is still working his way back to full fitness. Ancelotti has had to rely on young players like 22-year-old Raúl Asencio, who, while promising, lacks experience at the elite level.
OFFICIAL: Real Madrid players OUT for the Arsenal match:
❌ Aurelien Tchouaméni
❌ Dani Ceballos
❌ Ferland Mendy
❌ Éder Militao
❌ Dani Carvajal
❌ Andriy LuninReal Madrid will be without their starting RB, LB, CB, DM and CM. pic.twitter.com/IwS5HVOCnQ
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) April 6, 2025
Meanwhile, Antonio Rüdiger is doing his best to hold things together, but even he cannot cover all the cracks.
Madrid’s recent results highlight the problem. After shipping four goals at home to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey—though they did progress 5-4 on aggregate—they followed that with a late loss to Valencia, courtesy of a Hugo Duro goal in stoppage time.
Ancelotti didn’t mince his words after that game: “Opponents don’t need to work hard to score against us.”
Goalkeeper Concerns Ahead of Arsenal Clash
Another major concern for Madrid is the uncertainty in goal. First-choice keeper Thibaut Courtois has been out with injury for most of the season, and backup Andriy Lunin also picked up a knock, forcing 19-year-old Fran González into action against Valencia.
While Ancelotti remains hopeful that one of his senior keepers will return in time for the Arsenal match, neither is confirmed as fully fit yet. That leaves a big question mark between the posts—a potential opportunity that Mikel Arteta’s side will look to exploit.
Arsenal Sensing an Opportunity
Arsenal, who are enjoying a resurgent season under Arteta, will come into the tie full of confidence. The Gunners know that Madrid are not as defensively sound as in years past, and their high-pressing, high-intensity style could cause serious problems for the Spanish giants—especially in midfield transitions and counter-attacks.
Ancelotti has struggled to strike the right balance between attacking freedom and defensive structure. His mixed messages have added to the confusion. In October, he told reporters he preferred Mbappé “to score goals rather than press,” but more recently he’s called for his front line to work harder off the ball.
This inconsistency could be costly against an Arsenal side that thrives on exploiting disorganization.
Suspensions and Squad Depth Issues
Madrid will also be without key holding midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni due to suspension. His absence further weakens an already stretched midfield that’s had to rely heavily on the legs of Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde.
The good news for Madrid is that both Mbappé and Rüdiger avoided bans after UEFA handed them suspended one-match suspensions for their celebrations following the win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16. They will be available to start against Arsenal and will play pivotal roles if Madrid are to avoid a first-leg defeat.
Mbappé was instrumental in the round of 16 against Manchester City, scoring four goals in a 6-3 aggregate win. That performance showcased the upside of Madrid’s all-out attack approach, but against a well-drilled Arsenal team, things could get much trickier.
Champions League Form Could Be Key
While their domestic form has wobbled, Madrid remain formidable in Europe. They haven’t lost a Champions League match this season and have shown an uncanny ability to rise to the occasion in knockout ties.
However, with no new defensive reinforcements brought in last summer and key players still sidelined, the Spanish giants look more beatable than in recent years.
As the quarter-final looms, one thing is clear: Real Madrid will need to outscore their problems. Whether their attack can continue to paper over the defensive cracks—or if Arsenal will tear them open—remains to be seen.
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