Real Madrid’s attacking superstars need no introduction but behind them lies a soft, vulnerable underbelly which Arsenal aim to exploit on Tuesday in a Champions League quarter-final first leg clash.
Carlo Ancelotti’s forwards have not always been able to varnish over the team’s defensive deficiencies, as was the case in a 2-1 defeat by Valencia on Saturday in La Liga.
The surprise loss left Real Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona and was their 10th of the season across all competitions.
Last year as Madrid became Spanish and European champions, they suffered just two all season.
Ancelotti in part attributes the change to Kylian Mbappe’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, offering Madrid extra edge in attack at the expense of protection in the back.
Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes were the team’s main stars going forward last season and Mbappe has joined them to form a quartet.
Madrid also lost Toni Kroos last summer, with the German retiring, and they miss his poise and precision in midfield.
“This year we are much more effective up front because of the arrival of Mbappe, who has 33 goals, and there is a bit more suffering at the back,” said Ancelotti last week.
“When you have to choose, it can happen… we’re thinking about having this effectiveness and doing a bit more collective work defensively.”
To make matters worse for Madrid, holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for the visit to the Emirates.
Goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin have also been out with fitness concerns, with 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez making his debut against Valencia, although both may be fit by Tuesday.
“I think we could have both of them back,” said Ancelotti after the Valencia defeat.
“Opponents don’t need to work hard to score against us,” continued Ancelotti, after Hugo Duro’s 95th-minute winner stunned the Santiago Bernabeu.
The defeat came four days after Real Madrid let in four goals at home against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey, although they progressed to reach the final 5-4 on aggregate.