Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder will play as makeshift right-back until Lucas Vazquez returns
Following the injury to Lucas Vazquez earlier this month, Real Madrid find themselves without a natural right-back as Dani Carvajal has already been ruled out for the season.
Vazquez is expected to be out of action for at least a month, giving manager Carlo Ancelotti a major selection headache as Eder Militao, who could have served as an emergency backup, is also out for the season with an ACL injury.
Fede Valverde to full in
Now, according to AS, with the manager running out of options, Federico Valverde will serve as a makeshift right-back for Real Madrid until Lucas Vazquez is ready to return.
Valverde, who has not been at his best in recent matches, did move to right-back in the last game against Osasuna after the injuries and made an impression on Ancelotti.
It is not an entirely unfamiliar role for the Uruguayan international as he has played in that position on four occasions, five if we count the final stretch of the defeat against Sheriff Tiraspol (1-2) in the Champions League of the 2021-22 campaign.
Even though there are youngsters like Jesus Fortea and Loren Aguado available as possible options, given the crucial juncture of the season and the pressure on the team, it appears like Ancelotti and Real Madrid will look to rely on a seasoned performer like Valverde.
The midfielder has reportedly not been entirely happy with how the manager has used him this campaign. But he will once again put the team’s needs ahead and is ready to fill in at right-back in the absence of Carvajal, Vazquez, and Militao.
Elche manager Martin Anselmi knows his side cannot afford to spend 90 minutes simply absorbing pressure when Real Madrid arrive for Tuesday’s La Liga clash.
After showing greater resilience against Athletic Club, the Argentine wants Elche to take that confidence into one of their toughest fixtures of the season.
A 1-1 draw at San Mames provided some encouragement after a difficult opening to the campaign.
Elche had led for much of the second half before Athletic eventually found a way back, but Anselmi believes the performance offered a blueprint for what his team must do next.
“The fact that we put up a fight at San Mames makes us feel united and shows us that this is the path to follow,” said the Elche manager, as per MARCA.
Anselmi wants Elche to defend with the ball
Against Real Madrid, Anselmi does not intend to abandon the principles that helped Elche compete in Bilbao.
His preferred defensive strategy starts with keeping the ball away from the opposition.
“For us, the best way to defend is to keep possession. I think we need to show the same defensive resilience as we did at San Mames and defend with the ball.”
That approach will face a severe examination against a Real Madrid side possessing the quality to punish even brief lapses.
Elche have already conceded 13 goals this season and currently sit 19th, making defensive concentration a major concern.
On that note, Anselmi is fully aware of the individual threat Madrid possess.
“They make complicated moves look easy and push you to the limit. We mustn’t give anything away and need to stay focused throughout the match.”
The fixture arrives at an awkward time for Anselmi, who has had limited preparation time before facing Madrid, and Yago de Santiago will be the only confirmed absentee.
“The most important match is the next one. From there, we’ll see who’s in the best form and spread the workload,” said the Elche boss.
Real Madrid test comes at a crucial moment
Elche’s start to the 2026/27 season has been anything but positive.
They drew with Deportivo La Coruña before losing three consecutive games against Barcelona, Racing Santander and 10-man Real Sociedad, during which they conceded 11 goals.
The draw against Athletic halted that run, but it did not erase the defensive problems. Elche currently have the second-worst defensive record in La Liga, leaving Anselmi with little margin for error against Real Madrid.
