Real Madrid face Villarreal with Rüdiger their only fit senior centre-back
Real Madrid will go into the October 10 La Liga meeting with Villarreal with Antonio Rudiger as their only fit specialist senior centre-back, after Dean Huijsen’s red card in the Madrid derby added a suspension to an already depleted defence.
Key takeaways
- Huijsen will miss one match following his dismissal against Atletico Madrid.
- Raul Asencio is unavailable after undergoing an operation.
- Aurelien Tchouameni is the main candidate to move into central defence.
- Denzel Dumfries is also being assessed as an emergency defensive option.
- Academy defenders Mario Rivas, Joan Martinez and Diego Aguado could join the first-team group.
- Eder Militao is progressing quickly in his recovery and is ahead of the expected timetable.
Mourinho weighs midfield solution and academy call-ups
Jose Mourinho must now build a reliable back line for Villarreal around Rudiger, with Tchouameni the likeliest player to step in. The France international has previously filled in at centre-back when injuries have left Madrid short of options.
Dumfries is another possibility as Mourinho considers unconventional solutions. The Dutchman has the physical attributes to operate more centrally, and the coach has already tested unusual combinations during his first months in charge.
After the August friendly against Alcorcon, Mourinho explained that he had used Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Dumfries in an attempt to create “a dynamic” suited to that style of play.
The shortage could also accelerate opportunities for Madrid’s younger defenders. Rivas, Martinez and Aguado are being considered for involvement against Villarreal, having trained regularly with the senior squad since the campaign began.
Mourinho has repeatedly indicated that the academy group has been prepared to cover gaps in the squad rather than being called upon only in an emergency. Martinez and Rivas notably played together in the middle of the defence during pre-season against Fiorentina.
Speaking after that summer outing, Mourinho praised both players’ potential, saying: “Joan and Mario are two kids with a fantastic future.” He added that, before the match became more physical, they had shown “tremendous class”.
Militao recovery offers longer-term boost
Militao’s rehabilitation is moving faster than anticipated, providing encouragement for Madrid beyond the Villarreal fixture. The Brazilian is not the immediate answer to the current selection crisis, however, and Mourinho must first decide whether to rely on Tchouameni’s experience, use Dumfries in a makeshift role or hand a larger first-team opportunity to one of the academy defenders.
