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Carlo Ancelotti confirms Real Madrid’s defensive crisis ahead of crucial week

5. February 2025
Carlo Ancelotti (foto: Getty Images)
Real Madrid face a difficult week with two massive fixtures on the horizon, but they will have to navigate them with a heavily depleted and inexperienced defense. How will they cope?

The Spanish giants are set to face Atletico Madrid in La Liga and Manchester City in the Champions League over the next seven days, but injuries have left coach Carlo Ancelotti with limited defensive options.

The Italian manager has confirmed that Madrid are experiencing a defensive crisis, with all of his first-choice defenders currently sidelined.

Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao have been out since late last year, while David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger recently joined them on the injury list. This leaves Ancelotti with only two available center-backs: Jacobo Ramón and Raúl Asencio, both just 20 years old.

As a result, Aurélien Tchouaméni, a natural midfielder, is expected to fill in as a center-back, given his greater experience compared to Ramón and Asencio.

The first test of this makeshift defense will come in tomorrow’s Copa del Rey quarter-final against Leganés.

"We are in a crisis situation because we have also lost Alaba and Rüdiger for 20 days. My only options are Tchouaméni, Asencio, and Ramón," Ancelotti stated.

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