Three options for Real Madrid to partner Raul Asencio in defence vs Olympiacos amid injury crisis
Real Madrid travelled to Athens for their UEFA Champions League clash against Olympiacos with Raul Asencio as their only centre-back.
Dean Huijsen has been left out of the squad due to knee discomfort that he has been carrying since the match against Elche over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger, was not included in the squad either despite having trained with the group, with the idea being for him to be ready on Sunday. Eder Militao, too, is unavailable after picking up an injury with Brazil, while David Alaba is also out with an overload.
As a result, Real Madrid travelled to Greece with only five defenders in the squad: Fran Garcia, Alvaro Carreras, Raul Asencio, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy.
Three options for Xabi Alonso
Given the situation, manager Xabi Alonso will have to field a makeshift centre-back partner for Raul Asencio tonight against Olympiacos.
The most likely scenario is that the Real Madrid manager will use midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni at the heart of the defence alongside the academy graduate.
The French international has only returned to squad after missing two matches due to an injury. He has played at centre-back on many occasions in the past under former manager Carlo Ancelotti, while Alonso has also used him in the role at times.
Alvaro Carreras could fill in at centre-back. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The other alternative involves rearranging the defence, but in those cases it would be a full- back who partners Asencio.
The most probable option, if Tchouameni does not play, is for Alvaro Carreras to move into the centre of defence, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran Garcia occupying the full back positions.
The 22-year-old summer signing has filled in at centre-back on a couple of occasions this season and has proven himself to be a capable option.
The third option, although it is the most unlikely, would involve handing Ferland Mendy his first appearance of the season and playing him as a centre-back.
During a training match that Alonso organised with Castilla during the international break, the former Lyon player took part on one of the teams as a central defender.
However, Mendy has not played for more than six months after injuring himself in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in April.
