New Delhi: Carlo Ancelotti is preparing for a huge test against Manchester City, and Real Madrid’s defensive crisis has forced him to take an unexpected approach. Injuries have left the squad without key defenders, meaning Aurelien Tchouameni and Raul Asencio are set to start at centre-back. This unorthodox pairing will now be responsible for stopping Erling Haaland, a striker who has surprisingly never scored against Madrid in four attempts.
Haaland’s record speaks for itself, but Madrid remain one of the few teams to have kept him quiet. Of all the sides he has faced multiple times in the Champions League, only Inter Milan, Manchester City (before he joined them), and Real Madrid have stopped him from scoring. Now, he comes up against a defensive duo that nobody expected to see.
Carlo Ancelotti’s surprise plan to stop Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland added yet another record to his list after the game against Arsenal (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Tchouameni and Asencio worked well together in the Madrid derby, with the Frenchman adapting to his new role and Asencio stepping up from the academy. Asencio’s speed and defensive awareness helped Madrid stay solid, while Tchouameni used his composure and passing ability to control the game.
According to reports, Ancelotti’s plan will see Asencio using his physicality and quick reactions to disrupt City’s attacks. Tchouameni, meanwhile, will focus on Haaland, using his aerial ability to keep him under control and helping Madrid play out from the back.
The injuries to Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Lucas Vazquez mean Madrid’s defensive options are limited. But the duo of Tchouameni and Asencio has already shown potential. Asencio made eight recoveries and one interception in the derby without committing a single foul. His passing accuracy of 93.62% was also impressive. Tchouameni’s ability to reduce ball losses and progress the ball forward added to Madrid’s structure.
Ancelotti will need his defence to be fully focused if Madrid are to stop Haaland again. City’s attack will be relentless, but Madrid’s ‘Anti-Haaland’ masterplan is now in place.
Real Madrid have a bold plan to stop Erling Haaland, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Raul Asencio set to form an unexpected defensive duo against Manchester City in the Champions League clash. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
