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Carlo Ancelotti, at the press conference this Tuesday in Valdebebas.ZIPI (EFE)
David Alaba's serious injury in the game against Villarreal on December 17 opened a study period at Real Madrid on the possibility of integrating a central defender in the winter market, which should begin soon. Adding to the Austrian's extended absence was Eder Militão, who also suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at the start of the season. But this Tuesday, when the transfer advantage was already open, Carlo Ancelotti assured that the club had ruled out reinforcements for a position where only two players remain: “At the moment we are not thinking about signing another central defender “We think we are obviously missing two very important central defenders, but we have two others that we have a lot of confidence in, Nacho and Rüdiger, and others who can be very good in an emergency, namely Tchouameni and Carvajal,” he explained. “We won’t sign.”
The club has examined the options, but neither the options for players on loan nor for possible new signings have convinced them. So Madrid faces crucial moments in the fight for multiple titles with only two healthy central defenders. Militão could play again in early April, ahead of a hypothetical Champions League quarter-final, and after 30 of the 38 matchdays have already been exhausted. The Spanish Super Cup in January in Saudi Arabia and the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, the final of which will take place on April 6th, have already been decided. There could be up to 23 games, starting this Wednesday at the Bernabéu against Mallorca (7.15 p.m., Dazn), in which Tchouameni will again work with Rüdiger in central defense, as Nacho has to serve a suspension after the direct red card he saw on December 21st in Mendizorroza against Alavés.
Ancelotti will not have a new centre-back, but he is already seeing some of the injured returning. He announced Carvajal's starting lineup against Mallorca and hinted that Vinicius was also ready to start: “I haven't decided yet,” he said. “I have to talk to the player and the doctors about it. Vinicius showed in training that he is very good.”
He showed more caution with Arda Güler, who has suffered one injury after another since his signing in July and has not yet made his debut: “The most important thing for him is that he is well, that he is back with the team trained, that.” Little by little he returns to his best level. We all need to remember not to be in a hurry. He is 18 years old. He has all the time in the world. He's ready, and if I can give him protocols, I'll give them to him tomorrow. If not, it will be another time.” He has great trust in the Turk: “We have many resources that have not yet been able to express themselves.” One of them is Arda Güler.”
The case of the central defenders seems to be closed, but the case of the starting goalkeeper is not yet resolved. Before the Christmas break, Ancelotti announced that after the restart he would choose a reference goalkeeper for the rest of the season, but this Tuesday he revised his intention: “I haven't made the decision because these goalkeepers, both of them, make me doubt.” . It is not right for any of us that I choose the starting goalkeeper at this moment. They are both very good. For each game I will choose the goalkeeper who gives me the most confidence.” Lunin will play against Mallorca as Kepa has just come back from the flu and has not trained in the last few days.
This Tuesday's appearance was Ancelotti's first since December 29, when his extension until 2026 was announced. He insisted on his old idea that Madrid would be the last bench, although he was very receptive to the interest of the Brazilian federation until the contract was extended. And he added a detail about the end of his career: “It's my last bench, but when it ends I don't know.” I think that 2026 may only be partial. I can still be here after 2026. It depends on how successful we can be. It may not be the last year because I can still be here. “I will be a coach until 2026 and I hope I can be a coach in 2027 and 2028.”
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