Hit in the thigh against Getafe on Thursday, Real Madrid’s German defender Antonio Rüdiger is doubtful for the derby against Atlético on Sunday, his coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Saturday, who plans to move Eduardo Camavinga back into a decimated defense.
“Rüdiger’s condition has improved a lot between yesterday and today. Let’s hope that he continues to improve in the same way between today and tomorrow,” declared the Madrid coach at a press conference, while the German was absent from collective training. “It’s a blow to the thigh, it’s not very serious. He will be in the squad and we will decide tomorrow if he can play,” assured Ancelotti.
The Italian coach, already deprived of his two central defenders Eder Militao and David Alaba, must deal with the suspension of Aurélien Tchouaméni, used to helping out a notch lower. Asked about Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal, considered by Spanish journalists as the two options to overcome a possible withdrawal from Rüdiger, Carlo Ancelotti gave a third.
“The third option can be Camavinga. He is very good in ball exits, very solid in duels and very fast,” explained the Italian, assuring that “the sentry and central defender positions are the most similar, because they are played more with the head only with energy.
Real Madrid, the only leader with two points ahead of Girona, wants to take revenge on Sunday (9:00 p.m.) on its neighbor Atlético, the only team to have beaten the Merengues this season in La Liga (3-1) and in the Cup of the King (4-2).
“It’s an important match. We are facing this team for the third time in a short time. It will be a balanced match, with spectacle like the two previous ones. The Bernabeu has always helped us and will help us tomorrow,” added Ancelotti. The ex-Milan coach expects a new tactical duel against Diego Simeone, “one of the most difficult coaches to face”, for whom he has “the greatest respect”.