Carlo Ancelotti Admits Real Madrid Are Weaker Now After Karim Benzema Exit

• Carlo Ancelotti believes his current Real Madrid squad is weaker than last season
• Los Blancos lost club captain Karim Benzema last summer to Al-Ittihad
• Real Madrid currently sit top of La Liga this season with three victories

Carlo Ancelotti is not getting carried away with Real Madrid’s good start to the 2023/24 season, which sees Los Blancos sitting top of the La Liga table after three games.

Madrid have a 100 percent winning rate this season, amassing a total of nine points from their first three games despite not signing a marquee centre forward this summer.

According to TRIBUNA, Ancelotti, however, believes that the squad he has right now is weaker than the Real Madrid team he coached last season following the departure of some key players.

Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio left the Spanish giants on free transfers this summer, while fringe players like Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz also left for free after being released.

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There's apprehension around the squad as Madrid did not sign a potent striker with the charisma and leadership ability of Benzema despite bringing in Jude Bellingham, who has netted four goals in three games and was named La Liga's best player in August.

Ancelotti will not change formation

Meanwhile, Ancelotti has insisted that he will stick with the 4-4-2 diamond against Getafe despite Vinicius’ absence following the injury sustained by the Real Madrid forward, Madrid Universal reports.

Vinicius, who has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, is one of Los Blancos’ most influential players on the field, and his absence, many believe, is a source of concern for Ancelotti.

Real Madrid has adopted the aforementioned formation in all three of their La Liga games so far and has a 100 percent win record, with the veteran Italian manager willing to maintain the status quo.

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Ancelotti reveals Vinicius' return date

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Real Madrid suffered yet another injury woe this season after Vinicius Junior sustained a knock that ruled out the Brazilian forward for the rest of the tie against Celta Vigo.

The Brazilian international appeared to have tweaked the back of his right leg during the 13th minute of the game. He tried to continue but asked to be substituted about five minutes later.

Carlo Ancelotti has now revealed the injury to the Real Madrid forward is not as serious as feared and expects him to return after the international break.