Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that he plans to get creative with his lineup for Saturday’s meeting with Osasuna due to his lack of an available centre-back.
Long-absent Eder Militao has been joined on the treatment table by David Alaba, while Nacho Fernandez has begun a three-game suspension after being sent off late in the 3-0 win over Verona.
As a result, Antonio Rudiger is the only senior centre-back available to Ancelotti for Saturday’s game, but the boss says he has options to cope.
“Alaba is not feeling 100% and is not going to play,” Ancelotti confirmed. “The options we have are (Ferland) Mendy, (Aurelien) Tchoumeni… you will find out.
“I think we can adapt, we will adapt well. As always, defending is the job of the whole team, and it will not depend on individuals.”
Also available to Ancelotti is 21-year-old Castilla defender Alvaro Carrillo, who was called to the Madrid bench for the Verona game.
Should Ferland Mendy move to centre-back, it could give Fran Garcia the chance to reclaim the left-back spot he lost against Verona.
García started in the club’s first six matches, but came on as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Atlético Madrid and was then unused against both Verona and Napoli.
“He played a lot in the beginning and it’s true that now his fame has diminished a bit,” Ancelotti said of Garcia.
“It’s good for him to go with the national team and it’s well-deserved, because as a full-back he’s very good.”