Real Madrid are not having a good season when it comes to their defense. The Whites have a problem in the defensive area that goes back to a not entirely efficient management of resources in the back line, added to a plague of injuries that has kept practically all the starting defenders in the Merengue back line in the infirmary for several months.
Carlo Ancelotti has had to make do with a depleted defense that is gradually recovering. The Real Madrid woes began this season with the long-term losses of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, followed by Rüdiger and Alaba who are now available again as of this Wednesday, and Galician Lucas Vázquez who only partially recovered after the Playoffs In recent weeks, the Italian has given an important role to Asencio, and in the absence of central defenders, he has opted for players at the back such as Tchouameni and Valverde.
Real Madrid: king of Europe despite everything
Where Real Madrid have always shone despite everything is in the Champions League. The Whites are the Kings of Europe for a reason and they proved it again in the Playoffs against Manchester City In the first leg at the Etihad, they experienced a magical night with an epic comeback. Carlo Ancelotti’s side went behind twice to goals from Haaland. Mbappé and Brahim equalized twice and then in injury time Bellingham scored the final goal to make it 2-3.
The tie was looking good but it had to be decided in the match at the Santiago Bernabéu. A match that was played this Wednesday and which had one clear protagonist. The best version of Mbappé gave Guardiola’s men no chance on the Paseo de la Castellana. A hat-trick from the Frenchman sealed their passage to the next round, leaving the overall score of the tie at 6-3 Now the Whites await their rival for the last sixteen, which will be known this Friday in the draw and will be between Atlético de Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.
Valverde playing at full-back
During these weeks of injury in which Real Madrid have lost the lead but have excelled in the Champions League, one player has gained prominence in a position in which Real Madrid are weak The absence of Dani Carvajal, added to his age, and that of Lucas Vázquez, who is not really playing and there is already speculation about his departure, have led to Fede Valverde playing at right-back.
The player has played at right-back in recent matches and was asked about this new position at a press conference. “I’m glad that I‘m doing well in that position, I’m doing it because other teammates are injured It’s fallen to me to fill in in that position and I think I’ve done quite well. I’m at the disposal of the team and the coach, whatever he wants. It’s a position that I’m enjoying and learning a lot. I’m still in the starting eleven, which for me is the important thing”. ‘I have players who are a great image for me (Carvajal and Lucas). They are Madrid legends and I try to learn from them… I try to get the most out of them as possible’, said
Arnold, the big favorite
The need to sign someone for the right wing of the defense is a reality and there is a clear favorite. Trent Alexander-Arnold will end up at the Santiago Bernabéu, barring a major surprise. The Englishman’s contract with Liverpool expires at the end of the current season and everything indicates that it will not be renewed He would arrive as a free agent after the attempted signings in the winter market in which Real Madrid offered 15 million that Liverpool rejected in the face of what the whites did not want to make any more financial effort aware that in summer he will be theirs at zero cost.
Álex Jiménez, option for Real Madrid
According to information obtained by Relevo, Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Alex Jimenez (19 years old), who plays for AC Milan. One of the reasons for keeping an eye on the player is that he has a buy-back option of €9 million for this summer, while this clause will be €12 million for the summer of 2026. And they are on alert at the San Siro because of this.