Real Madrid: Rüdiger the only fit centre-back and Tchouaméni in play

Real Madrid head into October 10 at Villarreal with Antonio Rüdiger as the only practically available centre-back, as multiple setbacks pile up in their defence. That’s why José Mourinho could face a team looking for a “patch” at the back, with Aurélien Tchouaméni again the most likely option.

Dean Huijsen is suspended. Ibrahima Konaté is recovering from a mild strain in the right-knee collateral ligament and also left France duty with a light right-knee sprain; the initial recovery timeline was estimated at two to three weeks, leaving his participation in doubt. Raúl Asencio underwent surgery on a stress fracture in the right tibia on Thursday and will be out for several months. Éder Militao is finishing his rehabilitation for the hamstring/biceps femoral injury suffered in April, but needs match sharpness and won’t make the date.

If Konaté is not ready or Militao cannot be rushed, the plan would be to push Tchouaméni back into defence, a workaround Real Madrid have used before when other centre-backs were sidelined. It happened in 2023/24 as Militao and David Alaba’s long injuries forced the switch; Real Madrid still won La Liga and the Champions League. It has also been used again since, including two matches that raised questions—Elche (2-3) and Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano (2-1).