Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: March 06, 2024, 00:01 IST
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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti nonetheless has doubts about find out how to arrange his protection for the return match towards Leipzig within the spherical of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.
MADRID: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti nonetheless has doubts about find out how to arrange his protection for the return match towards Leipzig within the spherical of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Madrid will enter the sport on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium defending a 1-0 lead from the primary leg in Germany three weeks in the past.
Ancelotti didn’t say whether or not he’ll improvise once more with midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni enjoying as a central defender or would promote Nacho Fernández to the place.
Tchouaméni has been one of many gamers who has pitched in defensively due to accidents to the group’s common defenders.
“I’ve thought about it but I don’t want to give away any hints, I still have some doubts,” Ancelotti stated Tuesday. “We played with Tchouaméni and (Antonio) Rüdiger because Nacho hadn’t practiced, he had a small ailment. Now he is available and has the same opportunity to start as the others.”
Madrid selected to not add any central defenders within the winter switch window, with Ancelotti saying that the gamers he had had been sufficient regardless of the numerous accidents affecting the membership.
Nacho is a defender however isn’t a traditional starter for Ancelotti. The coach additionally had to make use of proper again Dani Carvajal as a central defender.
Madrid defender Éder Militão has been out for the reason that season opener due to a critical knee harm and David Alaba tore his ACL in December. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois additionally has been out since earlier than the season began with a knee ligament harm.
Leipzig’s assault is led by Loïs Openda, a Belgium worldwide who has scored 21 objectives — together with 4 within the Champions League — this season.
Madrid is coming off a 2-2 draw at Valencia within the Spanish league. It has a seven-level lead over Girona within the competitors.
“Tomorrow we have to show the best version of ourselves,” Ancelotti stated. “The tie is not over yet. Talking about the season today is complicated. So far we have done very well but we still have a long way to go.”
Madrid has superior previous the spherical of 16 the final three seasons, reaching not less than the semifinals each time and successful the title in 2022.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
