Tchouaméni and Alaba in defence: Carlo Ancelotti’s 4 strong choices against Arsenal

The hallowed turf of the Santiago Bernabéu is poised to host a spectacle of immense magnitude this Wednesday night, as Real Madrid prepare to engage in a battle for their very survival in the UEFA Champions League against a formidable Arsenal side. Trailing by a significant three-goal margin from the first leg, the air surrounding the iconic stadium is thick with anticipation, hope, and a palpable sense of urgency. In the face of such a daunting challenge, Real Madrid’s esteemed manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has reportedly devised a series of bold strategic moves in his team selection, choices that could potentially ignite a remarkable comeback and redefine the trajectory of Madrid’s season.

As Real Madrid brace themselves for what promises to be an unforgettable night under the floodlights of their home fortress, the weight of expectation rests heavily on their shoulders. The three-goal deficit incurred in the first leg against Arsenal presents a mountain to climb, a challenge that demands not only tactical brilliance and unwavering determination but also a collective belief that a remontada, a comeback of epic proportions, is within their grasp. The watchword echoing throughout the Real Madrid dressing room is undoubtedly clear: come back.

While the squad continues to grapple with the absence of several key players due to injury, a factor that has undoubtedly tested the depth and resilience of the team, the technical staff, led by the experienced Carlo Ancelotti, have reportedly been working tirelessly behind the scenes to concoct some major surprises in the starting lineup. These strategic adjustments are aimed at injecting fresh energy, tactical flexibility, and an element of unpredictability into the team, all in an effort to make the Santiago Bernabéu reverberate with the fervent support of the Madrid faithful and inspire a turnaround against the Gunners.

The most significant and perhaps surprising revelation to emerge from the recent training sessions at Real Madrid is a complete reinvention of the defensive setup planned by Carlo Ancelotti. According to reports from the reputable Spanish media outlet Relevo, the training sessions in the days leading up to the crucial clash against Arsenal have unveiled a surprising defensive reorganization. In the final training session before the highly anticipated encounter, the versatile French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni was surprisingly tested in the unfamiliar role of central defender, partnering alongside the experienced Antonio Rüdiger.

Further bolstering this defensive reshuffle, Relevo also reported that the seasoned Austrian international, David Alaba, was observed being tested in the position of left-back during training. As was the case in the first leg encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Alaba is indeed slated to occupy the left-back position, where he will likely be tasked with the crucial assignment of defending against Arsenal’s dangerous winger, Bukayo Saka. This tactical deployment of two traditionally non-defensive midfielders in key defensive roles underscores Ancelotti’s willingness to take bold risks in pursuit of overturning the significant deficit.

Adding another layer of intrigue to Ancelotti’s tactical blueprint is the reported repositioning of Raúl Asencio on the right side of the defense, taking the place of the more experienced Lucas Vázquez. This decision suggests a potential emphasis on Asencio’s specific attributes, perhaps his pace or attacking tendencies from the full-back position, as Ancelotti seeks to find the right balance between defensive solidity and attacking threat.

To further solidify the midfield unit, Carlo Ancelotti reportedly believes that the dynamic Federico Valverde will be more valuable in his natural midfield role rather than deployed in defense, as he was in the first leg against Arsenal. Valverde’s energy, tackling prowess, and ability to drive forward with the ball will be crucial in controlling the midfield battle and providing a platform for Real Madrid’s attacking players to flourish. While this configuration might appear surprising on the surface, it reflects Ancelotti’s tactical flexibility and his desire to optimize the strengths of his key players in a high-stakes scenario.

The overarching aim of this somewhat surprising defensive configuration appears to be twofold: firstly, to solidify the Real Madrid defense, which conceded three goals in the first leg, and secondly, to offer dynamic options for launching quick and incisive attacks from the back. By deploying players with strong passing abilities and tactical awareness in defensive roles, Ancelotti likely hopes to build a more resilient defensive structure while simultaneously facilitating smoother transitions from defense to attack.

In addition to these defensive and midfield adjustments, another significant and highly anticipated choice from Carlo Ancelotti is the return of the talented Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos to the starting lineup. Ceballos, who has been sidelined due to injury, has reportedly made a full recovery and is in contention to start against Arsenal. He made a welcome return to the pitch as a substitute in Real Madrid’s recent La Liga match against Alavés on Sunday night, indicating his readiness to once again contribute to the team’s cause.

Dani Ceballos’s presence in the midfield could prove to be a decisive factor for Real Madrid. The Andalusian midfielder is known for his exceptional technical ability, his composure on the ball, and his capacity to provide both balance and fluidity between the team’s attacking and defensive phases. His creativity and passing range could be vital in unlocking the Arsenal defense and dictating the tempo of the game. However, questions remain regarding his full physical condition, and the risk of a potential relapse will undoubtedly necessitate caution from Ancelotti and his medical staff. His inclusion in the starting eleven will likely depend on the outcome of the final medical evaluations conducted before the match.

With these significant adjustments seemingly on the horizon, all the necessary ingredients appear to be in place for what could be a truly electrifying night of football at the Santiago Bernabéu. The memories of Real Madrid’s historic comebacks against other European giants such as Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester City in recent Champions League campaigns will undoubtedly resonate in the minds of both the supporters and the players, fueling their belief that another seemingly impossible feat can be achieved. On this crucial Wednesday night, the iconic stadium will be bathed in light, ready to galvanize the Merengues in their determined quest to overcome the three-goal deficit and secure their passage to the Champions League semi-finals.

Carlo Ancelotti himself, ever the master of tactical nuance and psychological gamesmanship, has understandably refused to divulge any concrete details about his team selection for the crucial encounter. In the pre-match press conference, the experienced Italian manager playfully quipped to the assembled journalists regarding his official lineup: “I know what lineup I am going to propose, but I am not going to tell you.” This air of secrecy only adds to the anticipation and intrigue surrounding the match, leaving Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta guessing about the specific tactical approach that Real Madrid will adopt.

One thing remains certain: Real Madrid, a club steeped in European footballing history and renowned for their never-say-die attitude, will leave no stone unturned in their relentless pursuit of overturning the deficit and inscribing another glorious chapter into their illustrious history in the UEFA Champions League. The bold tactical choices reportedly being considered by Carlo Ancelotti underscore the team’s unwavering determination to achieve the seemingly impossible and keep their hopes of lifting the coveted trophy alive. The stage is set for a truly captivating and potentially historic night of football at the Santiago Bernabéu.