Real Madrid’s team for next week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu almost picks itself. Ten of the 11 are already guaranteed, injury pending, but Carlo Ancelotti is stuck on the one remaining decision: who will partner Antonio Rudiger in the centre of defence.
It won’t be Eder Militao, with the Brazilian international needing to get up to speed before he is considered for a start – the return leg in Manchester is much more of a possibility for him. As per Diario AS, the choice Ancelotti has is to choose Nacho Fernandez or Aurelien Tchouameni.
Nacho has been the regular starter for Ancelotti since David Alaba tore his ACL in December, but his performances over the last few months have been uninspiring. By comparison, Tchouameni has impressed in a deeper role, despite being a natural midfielder. If he starts, Eduardo Camavinga would play in the centre of the park instead.
There’s no doubt that Tchouameni is the better footballer, and he’s certainly been better than Nacho in recent months, even in the centre of defence. Ancelotti must decide whether it’s best to remove his influence from the Real Madrid midfield for next week’s showdown clash.
