Real Madrid are facing a tough situation in their midfield due to injuries, leaving coach Carlo Ancelotti in need of a reliable replacement.
The start of the season has already been challenging, and now, during the September international break, things have become even more complicated. Aurelien Tchouameni, one of Real Madrid’s key midfielders, has suffered an injury while training with the French national team.
The discomfort in his left foot, particularly affecting the metatarsal, has cast doubt on his availability for the upcoming match against Real Sociedad on September 14.
This new injury adds to the growing list of challenges for Ancelotti, who has had to deal with similar issues before. Last season, he had to navigate the squad through injuries to key players like Eder Militao and David Alaba.
Now, with Tchouameni out, Ancelotti will once again have to get creative with his lineups until players such as Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga are fit and ready to return to action.
Currently, Ancelotti only has three fully fit midfielders to choose from: Arda Guler, Federico Valverde, and Luka Modric.
While these players are capable of forming a solid midfield, the demands of the 2024/25 season mean that regular players need rest to maintain their performance levels.
This rest can only be achieved through effective rotation, utilizing the full squad depth until injured players like Bellingham are back, which is expected around September 29.
To address the immediate need for more depth, a report from Defensa Central has claimed that Ancelotti has decided to promote a new player to the first team: Manuel Angel.
This young talent from Real Madrid Castilla comes highly recommended by club legend Raul Gonzalez, who has even called him the “new Modric.”
Coaches at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas Sports City share this high opinion, recognizing Manuel Angel’s potential to make a significant impact.
With Angel now in the squad, Ancelotti will have to carefully manage the upcoming four games, which include the clash against Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Madrid derby at Metropolitano, and the first Champions League match against Stuttgart, set to take place at home.
The addition of Manuel Angel provides a much-needed boost to Real Madrid’s midfield, giving Ancelotti more options to navigate this challenging period.
However, the pressure remains high as the team strives to perform well in both La Liga and the Champions League, despite these setbacks.