According to reports, alarms are ringing in Real Madrid’s camp ahead of the crucial La Liga El Clasico, and the reason is nothing but a crisis in the defensive line. Currently, Carlo Ancelotti has only three specialized defenders available for this match and even for the rest of the season: Fran García, Raúl Asensio, and Jesús Vallejo—though Vallejo practically has no place in the Italian coach’s plans.

Ancelotti’s season began with a major shock: long-term injuries to Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal, both key defenders who were sidelined from the start.

David Alaba, who was injured last season, returned a few months ago but has now undergone surgery again. Antonio Rüdiger, who played for months with knee pain, finally gave in and went under the knife. Ferland Mendy, who suffered multiple injuries throughout the season, has faced another serious injury and must undergo surgery.

Within just a few hours, three more key defenders—Mendy, Rüdiger, and Alaba—were sidelined, in addition to Carvajal and Militão. Eduardo Camavinga, who played a versatile role in Real Madrid’s lineup and even filled in at left-back, was injured against Getafe and will also miss the rest of the season.

Currently, Real Madrid’s likely defensive lineup looks something like this: Lucas Vázquez, Asensio, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Fran García—where Tchouaméni is a midfielder playing as a center-back.

But the situation could get worse: Tchouaméni received a yellow card against Getafe, and if he gets another one against Celta Vigo, he will miss the El Clasico. Real Madrid has appealed his yellow card, hoping it will be rescinded so he can play against Barcelona at Montjuïc.

In this critical situation, Ancelotti does not have many options and may once again turn to the club’s youth academy, just as Asensio emerged from the crisis and became a key player for the team.