Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that he could make use of Aurélien Tchouaméni as a central defender over the course of the coming weeks.
This comes after Real were dealt just the latest in a staggering list of long-term injuries across the campaign.
Ancelotti and co. marked their return to action on Sunday, welcoming Villarreal to Spain’s capital for a La Liga clash.
Los Blancos ultimately made short work of their opponents, to the tune of a 4-1 triumph.
An otherwise fine night’s work, however, was soured in a major way upon David Alaba being forced into a premature departure from proceedings.
After going to ground clutching his knee, the Austrian international was quickly helped from the field of play by the hosts’ medical team.
And Real’s worst fears were soon confirmed, upon Alaba being diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The former Bayern Munich man is now expected to miss the remainder of the term, as well as Austria’s campaign at Euro 2024.
He joins fellow Blancos stopper Éder Militão as an ACL absentee, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with something of a crisis on his hands at centre-half.
Speaking to the media post-match, the Italian tactician was therefore asked whether a contingency plan has yet been put into place, in the case of either Antonio Rudiger or Nacho too being struck down by injury.
And Ancelotti went on to confirm precisely that, with Real’s boss ready to throw midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni into the heart of defence, should it be required over the weeks ahead:
“Tchouaméni is the first option at centre-back,” he explained, as per Marca. “It’s not what we think of him, but in this moment of emergency, he can play there.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
