Is Carlo Ancelotti's job at Real Madrid in danger after the defeat against AC Milan?

Real Madrid are a long way from the team that won La Liga and the Champions League last season and questions are growing around Carlo Ancelotti's place at the top.

During Los Blancos' 3-1 loss to AC Milan on November 5, a packed Santiago Bernabéu spent more time whistling at Real Madrid than cheering. The reigning European champions once again failed to score in the game and conceded several inexcusable goals.

The poor performance in the Champions League came after a 10-day break, yet the team looked like the same tired, aimless team that let Barcelona score four goals against Andriy Lunin on October 26. In just two games, Real Madrid have conceded seven goals and have only scored one goal (from a penalty) at home.

It was no surprise that cameras caught fans leaving the stadium before the end of Tuesday's game, and it was no surprise that players vented their frustration after leaving the field. After all, the defeat is Real Madrid's third defeat in all competitions this season, already surpassing last season's total defeats (2).

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The defeats are due to a variety of problems that Los Blancos are struggling with. Kylian Mbappé is no longer playing as No. 9, Lucas Vázquez continues to disappoint on the right, Jude Bellingham still hasn't scored a goal and the midfield still has to compensate for the loss of Toni Kroos.

But the player-specific problems are only half of a much larger problem unfolding at the biggest club in the world. There is a fleeting creativity and dynamism in attack. There is no urgency with or without the ball. There is hardly any effort to get back on defense after losing the ball. A defense already weakened by Dani Carvajal's season-ending knee injury lacks structure or physicality.

Such glaring problems affect the head coach, and even someone as respected and loved as Ancelotti is not safe. The Italian coach spoke to the media after Real Madrid's loss to AC Milan and admitted: “We don't defend well. We have to be more compact. We lack stability.”

Despite his criticism, he added: “We are confident that we will get better and fight for all the titles.”

However, titles seem out of reach if the team continues to perform at their current level. Real Madrid are already nine points behind Barcelona in La Liga (with one game remaining) and are in 17th place in the Champions League standings.

Everything about the team's performance on the pitch is below the club's standards and the longer Los Blancos fail to live up to expectations, the greater the pressure will be on Ancelotti.

The 65-year-old is officially on the hot seat, but at the moment the club seems to be supporting him and the current squad. Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueño said: “We have to admit that we are not in a good moment. Now we have to be with the players. We have to remain calm when the situation is not ideal.”

Ancelotti's past successes with the club probably give him more job security than, say, Rafael Benítez or Julen Lopetegui during their short tenures at Real Madrid. However, unless there is a significant change in the team's tactics or performance soon, there is a real possibility that Ancelotti's second spell with the Spanish giants will come to an end sooner than expected.

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