How Real Madrid have found form under Carlo Ancelotti: Vinicius, Mbappe, Bellingham, Rodrygo

Injuries, particularly in defence to the likes of Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, did not help matters at the start.

But Ancelotti’s main problems lay in the lack of a midfield to control games and the unwillingness of any of the stellar front three to put in a shift tracking back. And Jude Bellingham did not know where to run to cover so much ground.

The renewed vigour being displayed by Dani Ceballos in midfield has helped, but it is their displays in attack that have really made the difference to Real’s fortunes.

Where to begin with Vinicius Jr, who seems to be the focus of everyone’s attention whether playing or not.

The Brazil attacker has been in and out of the line-up recently, either through injury or suspension, and is currently the subject of a colossal offer from Saudi Arabia.

The story has been allowed to ‘gain legs’ by the Real decision makers who control the agenda, thanks to a compliant Madrid media who will focus on it for as long as it suits the club for them to do so.

The money injected by the sale of the 24-year-old would go a long way to paying for the stadium debt, along with a number of other financial benefits.

Real would certainly not be scared of selling the player, but the timing has to be right.

Much has been made about what is seen as Vinicius’ confrontational approach to taunts from opposition fans.

In the latest incident, he responded to chants of “tonto” (stupid) from Valencia supporters earlier this month by making a hand gesture suggesting the La Liga strugglers are going to be relegated.

In his defence, no single player I have seen has received the level of abuse that is dished out to him, including numerous examples of racism from fans.

Anyone expecting a bowed head and closed mouth reaction from Vinicius is going to have a lengthy wait.

He believes the abuse he receives is as unjust as it is fundamentally racist and not something he is prepared to endure.

On the field, Vinicius’ developing understanding with Mbappe is another of the reasons for Real’s improved performances.

The Frenchman had a tricky start to his Madrid career, but it is becoming clearer by the day that Real’s success will revolve around making Mbappe the main goalscoring focus – and leader.

Mbappe was always too intelligent, too talented and too precocious to fail, or buckle under the pressure, at Real Madrid.

He originally saw playing as a number nine as a more static role than he does now, and was conscious of not being seen to invade Vinicius’ space – on and off the pitch – even going as far as accepting that penalties would be rotated.

These days wherever he appears on the pitch the team adapt to him accordingly. He has also accepted that as a number nine he can be lethal, not so much with his back to goal but by running in behind and finishing clinically.

Since missing a penalty against Athletic Club on 4 December, he has scored 12 goals in as many matches, including his first hat-trick.

He is now the club’s official penalty taker. And even Vinicius admitted the team will do all they can so Mbappe becomes the top scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League.