Real Madrid’s Defensive Strategy Unveiled: Ancelotti’s Choice for Central Defence

As Real Madrid’s opening La Liga fixture approaches, set to face Athletic Club in just five days, the anticipation builds around Carlo Ancelotti’s team selection. While there remain certain uncertainties, a few elements stand as certainties in his lineup.

One unshakable certainty lies in the heart of central defense. Reports from Diario AS indicate that despite Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez’s active involvement in preseason matches, Eder Militao and David Alaba will retain their status as Ancelotti’s first-choice pairing for the upcoming season.

The prior campaign posed challenges for Alaba due to persistent injuries, while Militao displayed a commendable performance until the final two months of the season, during which an unexpected dip in form emerged.

However, Ancelotti holds faith in both players to rediscover their peak performance this season. In a critical moment, when calls were made for Rudiger’s inclusion in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City last season, it was Militao and Alaba who faced the 4-0 defeat at the Etihad. Notably, Rudiger had notably impressed in the first leg against Erling Haaland.

Ancelotti’s preference for the Brazilian, Militao, and the Austrian, Alaba, seems unequivocal. The duo complements each other as distinct profiles of defenders. Militao exhibits an aggressive approach to defending, akin to Rudiger, while Alaba’s strength lies in strategic positioning rather than frequently stepping out of line. This perhaps underpins Ancelotti’s selection. Of the two, Militao holds a stronger standing at the Santiago Bernabeu, despite Rudiger’s notable late-season performance.