Injury woes leave Carlo Ancelotti scrambling for solutions as key defenders remain sidelined ahead of crucial European tie.
Real Madrid’s preparations for their Champions League showdown with Manchester City have been thrown into disarray as the reigning European champions grapple with a defensive injury crisis. Manager Carlo Ancelotti described the situation as an “emergency” after his side was forced to field a makeshift backline in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against city rivals Atletico Madrid. With key defenders Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Eder Militao all sidelined, and Dani Carvajal out for the season, Ancelotti faces a daunting task to assemble a competitive defense for the first leg of their knockout tie at the Etihad Stadium.
The injury list grew longer after Lucas Vazquez, the only natural right-back available, suffered a muscular injury during the Atletico match. Reports suggest he could be out for 15 to 20 days, leaving Ancelotti with even fewer options. Federico Valverde, typically a midfielder, has been deployed at right-back this season and may be called upon again, while Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to partner Raul Asencio in central defense. Left-back remains the only position with depth, as Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy are both fit and available.
Despite the defensive reshuffle, Ancelotti’s concerns extend to his star-studded attack. The Italian manager has struggled to find the right balance when fielding his quartet of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham. According to reports from MARCA, Ancelotti even threatened to substitute all four at halftime during the Atletico match after a lackluster first-half performance. However, the second half saw a marked improvement, with Rodrygo and Bellingham playing key roles in Mbappe’s 50th-minute equalizer as Madrid dominated proceedings.
As Real Madrid gear up for their trip to Manchester, the focus will be on how Ancelotti navigates these challenges. The makeshift defense will need to withstand the attacking prowess of Pep Guardiola’s City, while the star forwards must find their rhythm to deliver on the biggest stage. With the Champions League knockout stages offering no margin for error, Ancelotti’s tactical acumen will be put to the test as he seeks to keep Madrid’s European dreams alive.
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