How will Carlo Ancelotti deal with Kylian Mbappe's injury at Real Madrid?

Mbappe is out for three weeks with a thigh injury.

Carlo Ancelotti has a big headache finding an ideal alternative for Kylian Mbappe who suffered a thigh injury in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win against Deportivo Alaves this Wednesday.

The Frenchman was their main preferred option who could slot in the No.9 position. But he is set to be out for three weeks. The Italian manager will have to look at who will fill in his area until then.

Mbappe is set to miss three of Los Blancos’ crucial games which will be against Atletico Madrid, Lille in the Champions League and another LaLiga game against Villarreal.

However, the former AC Milan head coach has enough options in the attacking line who might get a chance to shine in the absence of the former PSG forward.

How Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will line up in Kylian Mbappe’s absence?

Ancelotti has a few alternatives to find a way to deal with Mbappe’s absence. Well, the first one would be Endrick. Given he is the only natural striker at the club, he might directly replace the former Paris Saint-Germain player in the No. 9 role. 

However, the striker has appeared mostly from the bench in his still very young LaLiga career. It’s very unlikely that he will be given a starting spot in the squad. Meanwhile, the other option will be using Rodrygo, who is a versatile attacker and can play anywhere in the front line. 

Many times we have witnessed how the Brazilian has been deployed into a center-forward position when there was an absence of a striker. Rodrygo is naturally a left-winger. But Vinicius has occupied that space while Rodrygo plays in on the right wing. The latter has adapted seamlessly to that position. 

The 23-year-old has three goals and an assist in seven league games for Real Madrid this season from the right flank. 

The lost option for Ancelotti would include tactical adjustment where he might revert back to the diamond 4-4-2 like last season. Four defenders, four midfielders and two players in the attack, that would be Vinicius and Rodrygo. 

The diamond system worked well for the Italian coach last season. This is going to be the likely option Ancelotti might use until Mbappe returns.

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