Carlo Ancelotti has issued a dire warning ahead of Real Madrid’s highly anticipated clash with Manchester City, declaring “we are in emergency!” The Italian tactician’s distress call comes as his team faces a crippling injury crisis that threatens to derail their Champions League ambitions.
Ancelotti’s concerns are well-founded, given the sheer number of key players currently sidelined. The latest setbacks have left the Real Madrid boss scrambling to find solutions ahead of the Manchester City showdown.
The injury list is lengthy and ominous, with several top stars ruled out of contention. The absence of these players will undoubtedly test Ancelotti’s tactical acumen and the depth of his squad.
In a devastating double blow, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger have both been ruled out due to injury, leaving Real Madrid’s defense severely depleted. Alaba’s versatility and Rudiger’s aerial prowess will be sorely missed, and Ancelotti must now conjure up a makeshift defensive lineup to face the potent Manchester City attack.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has described his club’s current injury issues in defence as an “emergency”.
Los Blancos currently hold a one-point advantage at the top of the La Liga table ahead of their upcoming derby showdown with second-placed Atletico Madrid.
However, as much attention is being placed on the Champions League playoff tie with Manchester City after both European giants missed out on a place in the top eight.
Ahead of what is effectively Real’s most important fixtures of the season, they have been left depleted in the middle of the defence.
Antonio Rudiger faces a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury sustained against Espanyol on Saturday, a blow that was followed by David Alaba limping out of training two days later.
Real are currently preparing to face Leganes in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, a weakened side expected to be selected for that tie.
Speaking ahead of that contest, Ancelotti has expressed his concerns over the issues at the back, revealing the timeframes of Rudgier’s and Alaba’s recoveries.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, the Italian said: “We are in emergency, as both Rudiger and Alaba will be out for 20 days.”
“The only options at centre back are Jacobo Ramon, Raul Asencio and [Aurelien] Tchouameni”.
Real face the prospect of six fixtures during that 20-day period, a trip to Osasuna to come between the Man City double-header before a home clash with Girona on February 23.
Midfielder Tchouameni has been a regular makeshift centre-back this season due to the previous absence of Alaba and knee injury sustained by Eder Militao.
Academy graduate Asencio has been catapulted up the pecking order to make nine starts and nine substitute outings in all competitions, the 21-year-old deserving credit for how he has adapted to the senior squad.
Twenty-year-old Ramon’s only experience of first-team football is a 12-minute outing against Red Bull Salzburg on January 22. It is plausible to expect him to start against Leganes on Wednesday
