Aurelien Tchouameni is the first option at centre-back, confirms Ancelotti following Alaba's ACL injury

Alaba set to be out until end of season with ACL injury

Over the course of the upcoming weeks, Aurelien Tchouameni may find employment as a central defender for Real Madrid, according to head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

This occurs following the shocking announcement of Real Madrid’s latest long-term injury of the campaign. On Sunday, Ancelotti and company made their comeback to La Liga action by hosting Villarreal in the Spanish capital. Ultimately, Los Blancos defeated their opponents with relative ease, winning 4-1.

Nevertheless, David Alaba’s forced early exit from the conversation severely spoiled an otherwise excellent evening’s work.

The Austrian international went down holding his knee and was rapidly assisted by the host team’s medical staff to leave the pitch of play.

Real’s greatest concerns were shortly realised when it was determined that Alaba’s left knee had an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

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It is now anticipated that the former Bayern Munich player will miss the rest of the season in addition to Austria’s 2024 European Championship campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti faces a bit of a headache at centre-half as he joins teammate Blancos stopper Éder Militão in missing the ACL.

In response, the Italian tactician was questioned by the media after the game about if a backup plan had been made in case Nacho or Antonio Rudiger also sustained an injury.

And Ancelotti continued to indicate as much, saying that Real Madrid’s manager is prepared to insert midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni at the centre of defence if necessary in the coming weeks:

“Tchouaméni is the first option at centre-back,” he explained, as per Marca. “It’s not what we think of him, but in this moment of emergency, he can play there.”

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