Ancelotti could deploy Real Madrid defender in makeshift role amid injury crisis | OneFootball

Real Madrid veteran right-back Dani Carvajal will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a severe knee injury during Saturday’s victory over Villarreal.

The 32-year-old defender suffered multiple ligament damage, including tears to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), external collateral ligament, and popliteus tendon in his right knee. Surgery is scheduled for this week, with recovery expected to take at least eight months.

It leaves manager Carlo Ancelotti without his first-choice right-back. Everything indicates that Lucas Vazquez will be asked to fill in for Carvajal for the rest of the season, but the staff is also looking at other alternatives.

Eder Militao could be an option

Indeed, as Carlo Ancelotti seeks solutions to fill the right-back position, attention has turned to Eder Militao as a potential replacement, reports The Athletic.

The Brazilian centre-back has previous experience of playing at right-back, having played the position during his time at Sao Paulo and FC Porto.

Militao an option at RB for Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Militao has also featured there three times for Real Madrid and featured for Brazil in this role during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

However, deploying Militao on the wing presents its own challenges. The move would disrupt his successful centre-back partnership with Antonio Rudiger, and there are concerns about his fitness following a recent ACL injury and ongoing muscular issues.

Though Militao started the first eight La Liga matches this season, club sources suggest he has not yet reached peak form.

Furthermore, the defender is dealing with his own fitness issues this season and is currently recovering from a thigh injury.

But Militao is expected to return for Real Madrid’s next fixture against Celta Vigo on October 19 after the international break.

Federico Valverde would be a left-field choice but is unlikely to be moved given his importance in the centre of the park. As such, Ancelotti could be forced to turn to the academy for alternatives.