Crisis is the mother of all opportunities if utilised in the right way. Real Madrid, amidst their difficult moment in central defence, are hoping to do the same.
Heading into the all-important and potentially title-deciding clash against Girona, Los Blancos are without any available centre-backs.
While Eder Militao and David Alaba are at different stages of recovery from their ACL injuries, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez are doubts via short-term injuries.
Opportunity for a protege.
According to Rodra in a recent report, Carlo Ancelotti is leaving his academy options open for the next showdown.
Through the team’s misfortune, he has found a way to turn it into an opportunity, maybe giving a young talent his big stage debut.
Jacobo Ramon, Juvenil A’s outstanding defender, is working with the first squad today in preparation for the league match this weekend and could play.
He is one of the academy’s most highly regarded players, and he is expected to make an impact with the first squad in the coming years.
The first choice
While starting Ramon at centre-back would be a plausible alternative because he is a like-for-like substitute, the question of experience comes into play considering the importance of the match.
It is therefore likely that Ancelotti will stick with Daniel Carvajal and Aurelien Tchouameni as his centre-backs on the night, with Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy covering the full-back positions.
Furthermore, Rudiger has a chance to recover in time for the match, albeit it will be close.
Ramon should expect minutes off the bench as the game continues, depending on the scenario on the field. A debut cannot be ruled out.
