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There are concerns for Real Madrid on the way to the international break. In Saturday’s 2-0 win over Villarreal, right back Dani Carvajal had to be stretchered off the field due to a knee injury. He went down during stoppage time in the second half after a collision with Yermy Pino, which immediately sent a signal to the touchline. Given how late it was, Los Blancos ended up with 10 men rather than being able to bring in a substitute to replace him, but Carlo Ancelotti described the injury as serious.
‘It’s very serious, [his] knee,” Ancelotti said. ‘They have to evaluate it in the next few hours. The locker room is sad and worried. It’s because of the calendar. And it happened to a very important player for us.”
Although Real Madrid has a lot of depth in attack, this is not the case defensively. Star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is also injured and other team members have spent time in and out of the XI. Carvajal has already featured in eleven matches this season and is also expected to represent Spain on the international stage.
Who can Ancelotti turn to if he has to miss a lot of time?
The natural replacement: Lucas Vazquez
Looking at the squad, the only other standard right-back available is Lucas Vazquez. Although the 33-year-old has had to play second fiddle to Carvajal, that doesn’t mean he can’t cause danger on his own. Last season, Vazquez scored three goals and seven assists in 38 competitions. Being able to fill in a pinch is important and this would be one of the more seamless ways to set up the team without drastically changing tactics.
Versatile centre-back: Eder Millitao
Although Eder Militao is at home in central positions, that doesn’t mean he can’t slide out to the flanks when necessary. The fact that Aurelien Tchouameni can fit between midfield and centre-back provides flexibility in defence, but with Kylian Mbappé in attack, a move like this could create more pressure than it’s worth out wide. A move like this helps Real Madrid in set play, but it is unknown how effective it can be on the pitch.
Can Camavinga play both sides?
When he started his career at Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga played several times as a left back. He is needed in midfield now, but in a pinch it could be worth seeing if the 21-year-old can return to Los Blancos’ defense. He is solid in possession and a dynamic athlete who can help build up from the back, but the concern would be whether this is a positional change that is too foreign for the Frenchman.