Davide Ancelotti, the Lille coach and son of former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, says the Spanish club’s midfield has been fundamentally affected by Toni Kroos’ retirement and Luka Modric’s departure.
Kroos retired in the summer of 2024 after the European Championship, while Modric joined Milan the following summer. Real Madrid have struggled during the past two seasons, particularly in midfield, and have not won a major trophy during that period.
Their difficulties have continued at the start of the current season, prompting Davide Ancelotti to reflect on the impact of losing two of the club’s most influential midfielders.
“I do not want everything I say to be interpreted as criticism,” Ancelotti told AS. “When Modric or Kroos played, the ball always reached the player who started the attack.”
The Italian added, as reported by Foot Mercato: “To play with a direct attacking style, you need a player who is good at passing. Direct attacking football does not only mean having eight players capable of running; it also means having a player capable of setting them in motion.”
Ancelotti’s comments point to what he believes is a key absence in Real Madrid’s current midfield. The club’s struggles have continued despite the team’s ability to attack directly, with the former presence of Kroos and Modric providing the passing quality needed to begin and accelerate those moves.
Kroos ended his career after Euro 2024, bringing a close to his time at Real Madrid, while Modric left for Milan in the next summer transfer window. Their exits changed the balance of the side and left Real Madrid without the midfield player Ancelotti believes is essential to release attacking teammates effectively.
The Lille coach finished by stressing that Real Madrid are missing a fundamental midfielder, reinforcing the view that the club’s ongoing problems are linked in significant part to the changes in that area of the team.
