New Delhi: Real Madrid are facing a major challenge ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester City. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will travel to The Etihad with a long list of absentees, especially in defence. The Spanish giants have been hit by an injury crisis at the worst possible time, leaving their backline looking severely weakened.
Tuesday’s showdown is a crucial one, with a place in the next round of the newly-formatted Champions League on the line. However, Real Madrid will be without key defenders, forcing Ancelotti into making adjustments. The big question is whether they can still find a way past Manchester City despite their problems at the back.
Real Madrid’s defensive crisis
David Alaba. (Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s defensive struggles have only worsened in recent days. Lucas Vázquez is the latest player to pick up an injury, joining an already concerning list of sidelined defenders. Dani Carvajal, Éder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Joan Martinez are all unavailable. That leaves Ancelotti with very few options against a Manchester City side known for their attacking power.
The situation is far from ideal, especially against a team like Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side are relentless in attack and will look to exploit Real Madrid’s makeshift defence. Without their experienced centre-backs, Los Blancos will need their midfielders to step up and provide extra protection.
One potential solution could be shifting players out of position to fill the gaps. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga have both played in defence before, but relying on makeshift defenders in such a crucial game is always risky. Ancelotti might also need to tweak his tactical approach, focusing on keeping things tight rather than playing expansively.
Despite the challenges, Real Madrid cannot be counted out. They have shown resilience in the past and still have attacking firepower in Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo. If they can stay compact and take their chances up front, they could still pose a threat to Manchester City. However, with a depleted defence, stopping Guardiola’s side will be their toughest test yet.
Real Madrid face a tough challenge against Manchester City with a weakened defence. Ancelotti’s side must find a way to stop Guardiola’s attack and keep their Champions League hopes alive. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
