Real Madrid’s 1-2 defeat to Valencia has once again exposed a glaring issue that could prove costly in the business end of the season—the lack of a dependable penalty taker.
The defeat was not just a blow in terms of league standings, as the gap to Barcelona grew to four points, but it also underlined a structural weakness in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad that is becoming too frequent to ignore.
The penalty situation at Madrid this season has been chaotic at best and mismanaged at worst.
What began as a loosely agreed arrangement between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. has evolved into a confidence-sapping lottery, where no player appears willing—or able—to take consistent responsibility.
The result? Five missed penalties out of 17 attempts this season. A 70.5% conversion rate is hardly good enough for a club chasing major honours.
Missed opportunities
Vinicius, in particular, seems to be struggling under the spotlight. His latest miss against Valencia, coupled with jeers from an increasingly impatient Bernabeu crowd, suggests the Brazilian is fast losing confidence from the spot.
It is not an isolated incident either. He had already missed a high-pressure penalty in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, and now, with this latest miss, he shares the unwanted record of two failed attempts this season—equal with Mbappe.
Jude Bellingham, the other player to miss from the spot, has at least looked more composed but has yet to truly stake his claim as the designated taker.
These are not just missed opportunities—they are momentum-shifting moments. Against Valencia, Vinicius’ miss proved decisive.
Within minutes, Valencia capitalised and took the lead, compounding the psychological blow for Ancelotti’s men. It’s a pattern that could easily repeat itself in tight knockout ties or pivotal league fixtures.
A solution must be found
Carlo Ancelotti, for all his calm demeanour, now faces a tactical dilemma that he cannot delay resolving.
In a team full of superstars, not one has stood up to own the penalty responsibility. That indecision is not just damaging on the pitch—it is unsettling for the team’s rhythm and confidence.
As the season reaches a defining stage, with fixtures piling up and margins for error narrowing, Real Madrid cannot afford to let such a crucial aspect of the game fall through the cracks.
Whether it means officially handing the role to Bellingham, trusting a more experienced figure like Luka Modric if he is on the pitch, or even turning to someone unexpected, a decision must be made—and quickly.
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