Real Madrid faces a major defensive dilemma ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Manchester City. With injuries piling up, Carlo Ancelotti is preparing to deploy an unconventional center-back pairing in a bid to neutralize City's attacking force.
A Surprise Defensive Strategy
During the Madrid Derby, Ancelotti was forced to improvise, deploying Aurélien Tchouaméni—midfielder—as a center-back. Alongside him, academy graduate Raúl Asencio was given a rare first-team opportunity. Now, this unexpected duo is tasked with stopping one of the most lethal strikers in world football: Erling Haaland.
Can Real Madrid Contain Haaland?
Haaland’s record against Real Madrid is surprisingly underwhelming. Despite his incredible goal-scoring prowess, the Norwegian striker has failed to score in four previous encounters with Los Blancos.
Among the 15 teams he has faced at least twice in the Champions League, only three have managed to keep him goalless:
- Inter Milan
- Manchester City (before he joined them)
- Real Madrid
However, this will be the first time Haaland comes up against a makeshift defensive pairing like Tchouaméni and Asencio. With key defenders Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, David Alaba, and Lucas Vázquez all sidelined, Ancelotti has no choice but to gamble on an untested backline.
Ancelotti’s Tactical Plan: How Will Real Madrid Stop Man City?
Despite the pressure, Tchouaméni and Asencio delivered an impressive performance in the Madrid Derby. Tchouaméni displayed tactical intelligence and positional awareness, while Asencio used his pace and defensive instincts to break up opposition attacks.
Raúl Asencio’s Key Stats (Madrid Derby):
- 8 ball recoveries
- 1 successful interception
- 0 fouls committed
- 93.62% pass accuracy
Aurélien Tchouaméni’s Contribution:
- Minimized ball losses
- Progressive passing from the back
Ancelotti is expected to divide defensive responsibilities carefully. Asencio will rely on his speed and physicality to disrupt City's attacking flow, while Tchouaméni will be tasked with handling Haaland’s aerial presence and initiating play from deep.
