The Real Madrid coach reveals his intentions for the major upcoming clash in the Champions League against Liverpool. Ahead of this crucial match, Carlo Ancelotti, lacking Lucas Vazquez in the right-back position, has an idea up his sleeve.
Real Madrid’s upcoming matches promise to be unique. After only three months of competition, Carlo Ancelotti’s team, seriously reduced by injuries, will face Leganés before travelling to Liverpool to take on Arn Slot’s team, currently topping the Champions League table. While it’s still unknown who will partner Antonio Rudiger at centre-back after Eder Militao’s serious injury, the right side of the defence also raises concerns.
Federico Valverde, the new right-back?
Indeed, in Saturday’s match against Osasuna, Lucas Vazquez, who had been filling in after Dani Carvajal’s season-ending injury, was also injured. Ruled out for a month, the 33-year-old Spanish full-back will miss the Liverpool clash. To replace him, Carlo Ancelotti plans to use Federico Valverde. Repositioned to the right side in the second half of the game against Osasuna, the Uruguayan midfielder met the expectations of the Madrid coach.
According to Marca, the 26-year-old midfielder’s performance has reassured the coaching staff, who see him as the best option against Liverpool’s formidable attackers. With this adjustment likely to be implemented, Federico Valverde will free up a spot in midfield. Given the absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni, also injured for around a month, Madrid’s midfield line-up against the Reds will be quite different, potentially featuring Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, or Brahim Diaz.
The coaching staff’s difficult situation
It’s worth noting that Lucas Vazquez’s injury had been anticipated by Carlo Ancelotti for a few days. As Marca reports, the Spanish full-back had been nearing his physical limits, as confirmed by tests conducted at Valdebebas during training sessions. Aware of the player’s physical condition, the coaching staff had no choice but to take the risk of continuing to play him, given the lack of defensive options.
Now that the worst has happened, they will have to improvise until January, especially as Florentino Pérez refuses to bring back Sergio Ramos due to their strained relationship over the past few years. In any case, things could move quickly in the coming days regarding the signing of a medical replacement, even if this is not currently favoured by the Madrid management, despite the unfortunate situation with Eder Militao. With critical fixtures approaching before the winter break in December, Real Madrid are taking a gamble.
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