REAL MADRID
Why aren’t Alaba, Nacho playing for Real Madrid against Osasuna?
Carlo Ancelotti will be forced to send out a makeshift defence when Real Madrid welcome Osasuna to the Bernabéu in LaLiga today.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has a major selection headache in central defence today, as the leaders prepare to host Osasuna on matchday nine of the LaLiga season.
Injured Alaba misses out once more
With Éder Militão already a long-term absentee with a torn ACL, Madrid will again have to do without David Alaba at the heart of the backline, because the Austrian still hasn’t recovered from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for Los Blancos’ last two games.
Alaba remained unable to train on Friday, having missed the wins over Napoli and Girona after limping out of Madrid’s victory over Las Palmas 10 days ago.
Nacho starts suspension for Girona red
To make matters worse, Nacho Fernández this weekend begins a three-match ban for his sending-off against Girona late last month. In addition to today’s game against Osasuna, the 33-year-old is due to sit out the league clashes against Sevilla on 21 October and arch rivals Barcelona on 28 October.
In the absence of Militão, Alaba and Nacho, Antonio Rüdiger is currently the only available centre-back in Madrid’s first-team squad.
Who will play at centre-back for Real Madrid?
Holding midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is in contention to deputise in central defence at the Bernabéu, with Ancelotti telling reporters on Friday: “We’ve tried Tchouaméni there in training over the past few days. He can use the defensive aspects he has as a pivot at centre-back. He’s good in the air.”
Left-back Ferland Mendy is another option as an emergency central defender, and ‘B’-team centre-back Álvaro Carrillo has been drafted into the matchday squad for the third straight game.
Elsewhere in the side, Madrid will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, whose recovery from a torn ACL continues, and Arda Güler, who picked up a thigh injury last month.
See also:
Real Madrid’s squad to face Osasuna:
Real Madrid vs Osasuna: when, where, how to watch?
Osasuna visit Real Madrid at the Bernabéu today, Saturday 7 October 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 10:15am ET/7:15am PT. In the United States, the game will be broadcast by the streaming service ESPN+ and the TV channel ESPN Deportes.
ESPN Deportes can be streamed live on the online platform fuboTV, which offers users a free trial.
Real Madrid vs Osasuna: live with AS USA
You also have the option of following live-text commentary of Real Madrid vs Osasuna right here at AS USA.