The Real Madrid coach experiments with a new right-back option after Lucas Vázquez’s problems

Real Madrid look likely to avoid action in the January transfer market once again this winter, despite significant injury problems in their defensive line. This has led manager Carlo Ancelotti to start experimenting with his options.

After conceding three goals to Rayo Vallecano this weekend, full-backs Lucas Vázquez and Fran García came under fire again. Particularly with the veteran, there have been questions about whether Los Blancos can be successful this season with Vázquez as their only option there, barring the occasional use of Fede Valverde there.

Marca say that with the possible arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold most likely next summer, Ancelotti has been considering using centre-back Raul Asencio there. He has been experimenting with Asencio at right back in training and also used him there for the last 10 minutes against Atalanta. The Italian coach values ​​his calmness and could see minutes in that position against Sevilla in their last game of the year.

Ancelotti has been reluctant to turn to La Fábrica even in emergency situations, and it was notable that Asencio was overlooked for Aurelien Tchouameni at centre-back almost immediately. However, it appears that Asencio is ahead of other academy right-backs such as Jesús Fortea and David Jiménez.