**Ancelotti Acknowledges Real Madrid's Struggles but Remains Hopeful for Recovery** Carlo Ancelotti did not shy away from addressing the challenges facing Real Madrid following their disappointing defeat to AC Milan. The coach candidly remarked, “The reality is what was seen on the pitch,” and what unfolded was far from impressive. In fact, it was a dismal performance that left even the most devoted fans, known for their unwavering support and penchant for late comebacks, leaving the stadium early, expressing their frustration with whistles. The only surprising aspect was that they refrained from waving the traditional white handkerchiefs in protest. Real Madrid found themselves trailing 3-1 against Milan, a team that had managed just one away victory at San Siro all season. The defeat felt inevitable and well-deserved, marking a troubling trend for Ancelotti’s squad. In just 11 days, they had suffered as many losses as they did throughout the entire previous season. The recent home matches have been particularly alarming. Following a 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona, Madrid conceded three goals to Milan, marking the first time in 15 years that they had allowed such back-to-back defeats at home. What was even more concerning was not just the scoreline, but the manner in which they were beaten. The players displayed a lack of urgency that frustrated supporters, coupled with a sense of weakness, disorientation, and individualism that made Milan’s task surprisingly easy. It was as if the team had failed to show up, reminiscent of their lackluster performance during the Ballon d’Or. While one might be tempted to label this as a systemic failure, there was little evidence of a coherent system in place, especially after having the luxury of 10 days to prepare for the match. Despite the current struggles, Ancelotti remains optimistic about the team's potential for recovery.