Real Madrid down to bare bones in defence after suspension sidelines 25-year-old for Mallorca clash
Real Madrid down to bare bones in defence after suspension sidelines 25-year-old for Mallorca clash
If losing their fourth consecutive Clasico to Barcelona was not painful enough, Real Madrid have been hit with yet another setback, this time in the form of a suspension to Aurelien Tchouameni, who will now miss their upcoming La Liga clash against Mallorca.
The French midfielder picked up a costly yellow card in the 36th minute of Sunday night's seven-goal thriller at Montjuic. The booking came after Tchouameni, deployed as an emergency centre-back, brought down Ferran Torres while acting as the last man.
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Referee Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez showed no hesitation in issuing the caution, which now rules the 25-year-old out of Matchday 36 due to an accumulation of bookings.
Never-ending problems for Real Madrid
Tchouameni's absence only deepens Real Madrid's already alarming defensive crisis. Carlo Ancelotti is already without five key defensive figures, namely, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga, all sidelined due to injury.
Tchouameni will miss the Mallorca game through suspension. (Photo by)
The Italian tactician now finds himself with only three fit first-team defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Fran Garcia, and the inexperienced Raúl Asencio.
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As a result, Ancelotti may be forced to reshuffle his starting XI once again, either by altering players' positions or dipping into the youth ranks.
Time for Jacobo Ramon?
The likeliest candidate to be promoted is Jacobo Ramon, a centre-back from Castilla who was already on the bench for the Clasico. Full-back Youssef Enriquez has also joined the senior squad as additional cover.
Real Madrid's depth is now being severely tested at a crucial stage of the season. With the La Liga title hopes slipping further away after another El Clasico defeat, the latest setback could prove pivotal in the run-in.
Ancelotti will need to conjure up solutions fast as Los Blancos look to stabilise their defence and salvage what's left of the domestic campaign.
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