Real Madrid faces a daunting challenge as they travel to Greece to face Olympiakos, with a significant defensive shortage looming over the squad. The Merengues find themselves in a precarious situation, fielding only one natural center-back, Raul Asencio, for this crucial Champions League encounter.
After starting the season with five central defenders—Eder Militao, Hugo Huijsen, Marco Asensio, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger—the club’s injury woes have left them in a bind. The goal for the 2025-2026 season was to ensure depth across all positions to mitigate the risk of injuries. Unfortunately, that strategy has failed to hold up as several key players are sidelined. Coach Xabi Alonso now faces a tactical conundrum as he prepares for this high-stakes match.
Tactical Adjustments Required
With Asencio as the sole specialist in central defense, Alonso must decide who will partner him at the back. The most viable option appears to be Aurélien Tchouaméni, although he is still recovering from an injury and not yet at full fitness. Alternatively, Alonso might consider repositioning a full-back into the central role. Alvaro Carreras is likely to be deployed alongside Asencio, which would then necessitate Fran Garcia to occupy the left flank. This reshuffling means that Alonso will have to adapt his lineup significantly, forcing players into unfamiliar roles.
A Missed Opportunity for La Fabrica
In light of this defensive crisis, Alonso opted not to call upon any players from Real Madrid’s famed youth academy, La Fabrica. Despite having potential candidates like Diego Aguado, Valdepeñas, and Joan Martínez available—who could all fill in at center-back—none were included in the Champions League squad due to their placement on the B-list. Martinez seemed a promising choice; however, coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s lukewarm assessment of him led to his exclusion from first-team consideration. Consequently, Alonso is heading into Greece with a severely depleted defensive lineup.
The decision not to integrate fresh talent from La Fabrica raises questions about squad depth and readiness for such pivotal matches. Will this gamble pay off for the Basque coach? The pressure mounts as Real Madrid aims not only for victory but also to secure their position among Europe’s elite.
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