Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that his side must improve defensively if they are to be successful during the 2023-24 campaign.
Los Blancos rounded off their preparations for the new season with a 3-1 defeat at Juventus on Wednesday night, while they also conceded three in a loss to Barcelona in their penultimate friendly in the United States.
Real Madrid are expected to line up with a midfield diamond in the coming season, with new arrival Jude Bellingham likely to be the most advanced player, but Ancelotti has admitted that there have been some teething problems in the formation from a defensive point of view.
"It has been a positive pre-season and in the games we have played, we showed different facets. One very good and another in the defensive aspect that we must improve. The team is not used to defending with the diamond," Ancelotti told reporters following the defeat to Juventus.
"We have conceded many goals against Juventus and Barcelona. There has been a lack of balance and we need to fix it.
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"The defensive aspect is the easiest thing to improve because it is a problem of placement, concentration, and attitude. In the pressure we have been good and aggressive, but we were fragile in the low block. It has been quite evident in the last two games.
"Lowering the block may be an option to take into account. But I'll keep the good things and the opportunities we've had in attack.
"On an offensive level, there are no problems, but on a defensive level, we have to fix it. There are things to prove in this period and it has been quite evident what we have to fix."
Fran Garcia is expected to start the new campaign as the first-choice left-back, but Ancelotti has said that the 23-year-old, who has returned to the club this summer from Rayo Vallecano, "has to improve".
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"Fran Garcia has played very well and has a lot of energy because he reaches the bottom very well and puts in good centres," the Italian added on Wednesday.
"He is a reliable player, but he has to improve. It is not an individual problem, but a collective one. He has to be better placed in the defensive aspect."
Lucas Vazquez started at right-back against Juventus, with Antonio Rudiger and Nacho in the middle, while Eder Militao and David Alaba featured off the bench in the second period.
Real Madrid have no more friendlies in the diary this summer, meaning that their full focus is on building towards their 2023-24 La Liga opener away to Athletic Bilbao on August 12.
Matt Law
