While the usual Real Madrid defence was expected against Arsenal, Carlo Ancelotti is said to have opted for something entirely different this Tuesday, with Lucas Vázquez and David Alaba in defence.
Real Madrid are playing a crucial Champions League match this season. With only a 12% chance of qualifying for the semi-finals according to the bookmakers, the Madrid club will try to achieve a good result against Arsenal’s Gunners this Tuesday, ahead of the return leg at the Bernabéu next week. For this fixture, Carlo Ancelotti is dealing with three major absences, notably those of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos.
David Alaba to start
With these key players missing, the Madrid coaching staff has decided to shake things up. According to our colleagues at Marca, who were present at the Emirates Stadium during the team’s final training session, Carlo Ancelotti used the veterans out wide. As we’ve been reporting for a few days, it will be David Alaba starting on the left side of the defence this Tuesday against Arsenal. Experienced in this position, having played there for many years at Bayern Munich, the Austrian defender is said to have been preferred to Fran García due to his lower centre of gravity.
Despite having much more pace and attacking presence, the Spanish left-back will be on the bench. Against Arsenal, the Merengue coaching staff believe that Alaba’s height could prove useful against Bukayo Saka and in aerial duels. Although this choice clearly seems risky given the defence’s recent performances with Alaba, Marca’s other bombshell regarding the right side has come as a real cold shower.
Vázquez to start on the right
As noted once again by José Félix Díaz, it is Lucas Vázquez who will be starting at right-back. Since the Champions League play-offs, Federico Valverde had often been shifted into that role to ensure defensive balance, but Carlo Ancelotti has decided to place his trust in Vázquez once more. According to the latest reports, the coaching staff prefers to pair the number 8 with Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham to strengthen the midfield.
Fearing that with Luka Modrić or Brahim Díaz in the starting XI, Arsenal could win the midfield battle, Ancelotti is taking the huge risk of playing Valverde in midfield rather than in defence. Another key point weighing on the coaches’ minds is the analysis of the latest goals conceded by the team. While many point fingers at Vázquez, the Madrid coach believes his right-back fights much better and has significantly improved in recent days.
In any case, the decision appears to have been made definitively in defence. Against the Gunners this Tuesday at the Emirates, the backline should consist of Alaba – Asensio – Rüdiger – Vázquez in front of Thibaut Courtois. Meanwhile, the midfield will be controlled by Valverde, Camavinga and Bellingham, and up front, the trio of Vinícius, Rodrygo and Mbappé.
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