Carlo Ancelotti has admitted Real Madrid are 'in emergency' ahead of their showdown with Manchester City.
The defending European champions, who beat Borussia Dortmund in last year's final, ended up with the tie of the round when they were drawn to face Manchester City in the play-off round of the Champions League.
The games are set to take place over the next fortnight, with the first of the two games to be played in Manchester on February 11 and the return leg in Madrid on February 18.
The two sides have played each other twice in the last two years, with one side winning a tie each. City were victorious on their way to lifting the trophy in 2022-23, while Madrid won on penalties on their route to tournament victory last season.
It is a tie that offers the chance for redemption for one side, with both struggling in the new initial league phase - with City coming close to elimination on the final match day.
But Madrid have been dealt a blow, Ancelotti has revealed, with two of their central defenders ruled out of action to go with their existing injuries, and both will miss the games.
'We are in an emergency, as both (Antonio) Rudiger and (David) Alaba will be out for 20 days. The only options at centre back are Jacobo Ramon, Raul Asencio and Tchouameni.'
Madrid have been battling injuries all season, with Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal suffering long-term issues in October and November respectively.
On Saturday, Madrid lost against Espanol in LaLiga, with their lead to rivals and closest-opponents Atletico Madrid cut to a point.
To make matters worse, Madrid will face Atletico in league action this weekend, with the potential that their long-standing lead at the top of the table could evaporate.
In the defeat by Espanol, Rudiger played in central defender with Tchouameni, but the former Chelsea star has been ruled out of the City clashes. One of Ramon or Asencio will now likely partner the Frenchman for the City and Atletico games.
Ramon, 20, has played in the Champions League before - against Red Bull Salzburg - but is yet to feature in LaLiga. He was promoted to the senior team set-up in the summer.
Asencio, meanwhile, has played four times in the Champions League and 10 times in LaLiga, and is the most likely option to feature.
Kimia722
0
We had a similar issue about three years ago, we still went on to win the Champions League. This will make no difference.
Thank you
dosbceiprt
1
Roman an Raul we want together
XtraZèálUche
2
anytime this guy is on the pitch I have no fear in our defense Raúl Asensio 💪
✨Jeremy✨
1
very well.. let us see how they going to handle the injury crisis because when city was affected by these lot of injuries they said "excuses"...
We had a similar issue about three years ago, we still went on to win the Champions League. This will make no difference.
shakx3m
0
Tchouameni is not that bad. The issue we have is pressing on time when we lose the ball. If you've been watching our games, Our midfield tends to retreat too quickly and far behind every time we lose the ball and it allows our opponents to flood our backline and reduces the defender's view of the game. That's why it appears as if they aren't performing well. Ancelotti is supposed to press on time and encourage our backline to push forward giving more space to react In case we lose the ball.
Totally nonsense. Tchuoameni is the worst player for Madrid this season. If he can't perform in a mid defensive block, how will he perform in a high line with his clumsiness, slow pace and lack of awareness?
Pebbekmoyz
0
very well.. let us see how they going to handle the injury crisis because when city was affected by these lot of injuries they said "excuses"...
Exactly
Mpumey
3
very well.. let us see how they going to handle the injury crisis because when city was affected by these lot of injuries they said "excuses"...
duzbdios
3
Our lineup again man city
wekelprtuy
1
👍👍👍♥️❤️
zeulmpsu
0
you must go u are the course of this crisis
jinbmnrty
0
We are Madrid
Riccimrsz
0
Hmmm Papa Parez don't like to pay players
Losabeiy
0
please this is for man Cíty
ziedmnorty
1
if the Madrid trust and give more minutes the young players like Jacobo and Asencio now everyone is pleased but let's wait and see what will happen
rakeikosuz
1
S M L
Danny670
0
I dont care, play jacobo ramon instead of tchouameni, pls dont play tchouameni ever again, let him only play cm, i feel like he’d be a liability for the team even in cdm position, i dont have faith in him anymore.
Tchouameni is not that bad. The issue we have is pressing on time when we lose the ball. If you've been watching our games, Our midfield tends to retreat too quickly and far behind every time we lose the ball and it allows our opponents to flood our backline and reduces the defender's view of the game. That's why it appears as if they aren't performing well. Ancelotti is supposed to press on time and encourage our backline to push forward giving more space to react In case we lose the ball.
dokbeost
2
kadabmrsty
1
atletico and city will use that's weekness from right. back of Madrid Lucas and in central defense for sure big problem for Madrid
fepbdnosu
0
Why the fuck don't you buy defenders
GaddafiJamal
0
but Real Madrid coach is Anchellotti and not you.
Exactly 😂😂
Veybcdeiru
0
I dont care, play jacobo ramon instead of tchouameni, pls dont play tchouameni ever again, let him only play cm, i feel like he’d be a liability for the team even in cdm position, i dont have faith in him anymore.
but Real Madrid coach is Anchellotti and not you.
Yitdemop
4
I dont care, play jacobo ramon instead of tchouameni, pls dont play tchouameni ever again, let him only play cm, i feel like he’d be a liability for the team even in cdm position, i dont have faith in him anymore.