Man Cityvs.Real Madrid

Los Blancos currently hold a one-point advantage at the top of the La Liga table ahead of their upcoming derby showdown with second-placed Atletico Madrid.

However, as much attention is being placed on the Champions League playoff tie with Manchester City after both European giants missed out on a place in the top eight.

Ahead of what is effectively Real's most important fixtures of the season, they have been left depleted in the middle of the defence.

Antonio Rudiger faces a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury sustained against Espanyol on Saturday, a blow that was followed by David Alaba limping out of training two days later.

Ancelotti confirms Real injury issues

Real are currently preparing to face Leganes in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, a weakened side expected to be selected for that tie.

Speaking ahead of that contest, Ancelotti has expressed his concerns over the issues at the back, revealing the timeframes of Rudgier's and Alaba's recoveries.

As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, the Italian said: "We are in emergency, as both Rudiger and Alaba will be out for 20 days."

"The only options at centre back are Jacobo Ramon, Raul Asencio and [Aurelien] Tchouameni".

Pressure on young duo

Real face the prospect of six fixtures during that 20-day period, a trip to Osasuna to come between the Man City double-header before a home clash with Girona on February 23.

Midfielder Tchouameni has been a regular makeshift centre-back this season due to the previous absence of Alaba and knee injury sustained by Eder Militao.

Academy graduate Asencio has been catapulted up the pecking order to make nine starts and nine substitute outings in all competitions, the 21-year-old deserving credit for how he has adapted to the senior squad.

Twenty-year-old Ramon's only experience of first-team football is a 12-minute outing against Red Bull Salzburg on January 22. It is plausible to expect him to start against Leganes on Wednesday.

Written by

Darren Plant