Ancelotti plans to replace Lucas Vazquez with Real Madrid midfielder vs RB Salzburg | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s defence has remained questionable for the greater part of the ongoing season. The situation with Lucas Vazquez at right-back is one of the more worrying of them.

The Spaniard has been largely solid for Los Blancos at the back but has come across as a weak link on the big nights, especially as seen in El Clasico.

After seeing yellow cards against Atalanta, AC Milan and VfB Stuttgart, the player is suspended for Real Madrid’s upcoming clash against RB Salzburg later this week and Carlo Ancelotti must make amends in his lineup.

Planning changes

As relayed in a recent update by Rodra, Carlo Ancelotti has decided his plan for the upcoming clash and has tried Federico Valverde at right-back in preparation for the same.

The Uruguayan star has played in defence for the team earlier this season as well and is no stranger to the position. Given Vazquez’s suspension, it is no surprise that Ancelotti prefers him as a stand-in once more.

Lucas Vazquez is suspended. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

In defence, he is expected to start Raul Asencio alongside Antonio Rudiger, moving Aurelien Tchouameni back to the midfield for stability if he is available.

With Valverde playing in defence, all signs point to Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham starting in the middle of the park. They will be joined by Arda Guler or Luka Modric if Tchouameni is unavailable.

Currently languishing in 20th place on the UCL standings, Real Madrid do not have their progression to the Round of 16 in writing yet. A place in the top-8 is certainly out of reach and a win tomorrow will take them a step closer to a favourable tie in the inevitable playoff.

It is thus critical that Ancelotti’s men take three points tomorrow at Santiago Bernabeu and they must have all hands on deck, especially in defence.