Diego Simeone gave little away when asked how he would reshuffle his defence for the Champions League semi final with no fit right full-backs available.
Sime Vrsaljko and Juanfran Torres – the two right-back specialists in Los Rojiblancos squad – are both unavailable through injury, while stand-in Jose Maria Gimenez injured a hamstring in Saturday’s 5-0 triumph at Las Palmas.
It is thought that left-footed defender Lucas Hernandez – who signed a new long-term deal with the club on Monday – will come into the starting line-up with midfielder Thomas Partey also potentially coming in for the Madrid derby.
"I know clearly who will play right-back," Simeone said.
"I understand football in a way in which absences are always important. It will be someone who has not played that position but I understand that football is a team sport.
“Many times you lack an important player, but the team manages that absence, that is why they are a team."
