Real Madrid is going in the first leg against Manchester City in the first leg the Champions League play-off round round of next week. After last weekend's defeat in Espanyol, they barely passed Leganes in the Copa del Rey after throwing away a lead of two goals, and on Saturday they were held on a 1-1 draw in the Madrid derby.
It has not been the easiest time for Carlo Ancelotti, who has to collect the troops prior to next week's trip to Manchester. Real Madrid are probably small favorites to make progress of the draw, and they certainly have the attacking firepower with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo goes and Jude Bellingham to damage Male City.
However, there are many questions about the defense of Real Madrid and they went against Athleti. Ancelotti already has problems in the middle of Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Eer Militao are not available because of injury, and according to MD he also has serious doubts in the full-back positions.
One of the conclusions that Ancelotti drew from the Madrid Derby was the bad level of Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia, who started on the right and left back respectively. The couple have not been to their best this season, and for the two crucial games against Man City, there are doubts about whether they can be familiar.
If this is not the case, Ancelotti will probably decide to use Federico Valverde on right back instead of Lucas, a movement that he has used a few times in recent weeks. In the meantime, Ferland Mendy is probably the starter on the left, although his designs have a lot to be desired this season.
It is no surprise that Real Madrid is said to be looking for both positions during this summer's transfer window. Trent Alexander-Arnold is who they want to be on the right, but left back is a lot unknown now that Alphonso Davies has committed himself to a new contract in Bayern Munich.
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