Carlo Ancelotti 's Real Madrid are in a mini-crisis mode , with world stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale struggling for form . Real fan Lucas Navarrete of managingmadrid.com writes on the team 's current troubles , and why he would n't hesitate to drop a big name . Carlo Ancelotti ’ s Real Madrid have recorded five losses , two draws and just one win in La Liga ’ s toughest venues since the Italian took over : Nou Camp ( Barcelona ) , Vicente Calderon ( Atletico Madrid ) , Mestalla ( Valencia ) , Sanchez Pizjuan ( Sevilla ) and San Mames ( Athletic Bilbao ) . The fans remember how successful the team was during last season ’ s run at the Champions League and the Copa del Rey , and they also have in mind why that happened . In those three games – the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semi-finals —Real Madrid played with a 4-4-2 formation that allowed them to defend properly and counterattack at the earliest opportunity . Cristiano Ronaldo looks on in horror after Atheltic Bilbao score to consign Real Madrid to another defeat . A sorry Madrid forward line kick off after Artiz Aduriz sends San Mames wild by putting Bilbao ahead . Real employed a 4-4-2 to devastating effect against Bayern Munich in last season 's Champions League . The team ’ s attacking trio of Cristiano Ronaldo , Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema did not feature together on two out of those three games , the other one being the return leg against Bayern in the Allianz Arena . Injuries to Bale ( a 1-0 win against Bayern at the Bernabeu ) and Ronaldo ( Copa del Rey final ) forced Ancelotti to use a 4-4-2 system that proved to be so solid that the Italian coach played Gareth Bale as a midfielder on Real ’ s historic 4-0 win in Germany . This season , Bale also had to miss last October ’ s Clasico . Ancelotti knew what he had to do , he used that same 4-4-2 formation with James and Isco on the wings , and Real Madrid were able to come back and earn a convincing 3-1 win against Messi and Co . Considering how badly the team have struggled against Valencia and Atletico Madrid since 2015 started , it ’ s not surprising to see that several polls around the Spanish media prove that the fans want to see that 4-4-2 formation again . Welsh star Gareth Bale has provoked the ire of the Real Madrid fans for his percieved selfishness . Many Madrid fans are calling for Bale to be the odd man out if they are to switch back to the 4-4-2 system . The £86million Bale tries in vain to turn around his side 's fortunes in Saturday 's disappointing loss . If that happens , Ancelotti will either be forced to move one of the BBC to the bench or play Bale in a much more defensive role . That will turn Real Madrid into a less-glamorous side , but they will also be a solid team capable of beating tough opponents once and for all . The BBC-system works and is good enough to easily dismantle most La Liga and Champions League teams . But whenever you go up against the best clubs in European football , you need to have a good defensive plan that the usual 4-3-3 formation does not provide . Given that Ronaldo is Real Madrid 's best player and that Benzema is the team 's only centre forward , it would be reasonable to think that Bale would indeed be the one moving to the bench if Ancelotti decides to use this 4-4-2 formation , and that would be the right call . The buck stops with manager Carlo Ancelotti when it comes to choosing a big name to lose from his line-up . Benzema is crucial to the team 's fluidity upfront , setting up his teammates and helping the midfielders at controlling the tempo of the game , and unless Ronaldo changes his game and becomes a pure striker , the Frenchman is the only player in the roster capable of doing that . While it would be tempting not to pay attention to the fans ' whistles , having the Bernabeu fans against you is always the first step towards a move out of the club , and that 's why Ancelotti should try to regain the fans ' support . The Santiago Bernabeu is a very demanding crowd and they have already affected the way Gareth Bale plays . After the whistles , the Welsh player is not attempting nearly as many shots as he was when things were working out well for him , so Ancelotti will surely use Bale 's experience as a good example to change Real Madrid 's shape and improve the way his team is defending . If a £86m player needs to sit on the bench , so be it . Real 's deadly rivals Barcelona are in form , with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi celebrating against Rayo .
Madrid lost to Atheltic Bilbao 1-0 on last October in a blow to their title chance . Many fans are calling for a return to Carlo Ancelotti 's 4-4-2 formation . British star Gareth Bale could be sacrificed in the starting XI . Carlo Ancelotti : Bale will not be dropped for Schalke clash . CLICK HERE for all the latest Real Madrid news .