According to reports, Carlo Ancelotti was forced to call up 10 players from Castilla after Andriy Lunin’s last-minute injury, putting the team at risk of violating Spanish Football Federation regulations.

Under Article 223 of the regulations, a team must always have at least 7 players registered in the competition (i.e., the main squad) on the field. If this number drops to 6 or fewer, the referee must stop the match, and Real Madrid could face a 3-0 forfeit due to an illegal lineup.

Real Madrid has only 11 first-team players and just two defenders (Jesús Vallejo and Fran García) available, leaving the defense as a major weak point. The remaining defenders are from Castilla, further complicating the situation.

Ancelotti must carefully manage substitutions, cards, and potential injuries, as any unexpected event could place the team in an illegal position. In defense, without Carvajal, Alaba, Mendy, Rüdiger, Militão, and Tchouaméni (who has occasionally played as a center-back), Fran García, Vallejo, Asensio, and Valverde are likely to play. However, Asensio is a Castilla player and does not count toward the first-team quota, making Vallejo’s presence essential despite his limited playing time this season.

There is also a risk in goal. With Lunin absent, only Thibaut Courtois is available. If Courtois is injured or sent off, Castilla’s Sergio Mustre or Fran González would have to play, requiring a reshuffle to meet the first-team player quota. The midfield, with Bellingham, Modrić, Arda Güler, and Ceballos, is more stable. In attack, Mbappé, Endrick, and Brahim are eligible to play without issues.