Real Madrid midfielder likely to be shifted to defensive position following injury to key player - Reports

According to a post by @MadridXtra on X, Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde will be the manager’s first option to replace Lucas Vazquez at right back. Vazquez sustained a hamstring injury in Los Blancos’ 4-0 win over Osasuna in LaLiga on Saturday, November 9.

The 33-year-old called for medical attention in the first half of the clash after feeling a strain in his muscles. He was bandaged by the medics and returned to the pitch. However, the Spaniard couldn’t continue to play and was subbed off at half-time, with Luca Modric coming on in his stead.

Vazquez’s injury was an additional blow to manager Carlo Ancelotti as Madrid had already lost Rodrygo Goes and Eder Militao to injuries earlier on in the game. After the match, scans revealed that Vazquez had suffered a hamstring injury and will now be out for at least three weeks.

Ancelotti was forced to deploy the Spain international as a right-back after Dani Carvajal ruptured his cruciate ligament and was ruled out of the season. Now, with Vazquez joining the club’s list of injured players, Ancelotti is short of defensive options at right back.

Real Madrid plan to manage their injury crisis by shifting Valverde to the right-back position. The Uruguayan midfielder finished the Osasuna game as a right-back and could maintain the position in subsequent matches.

Real Madrid currently only have four fit first-team defenders on their roster

Los Blancos have been heavy with injuries this season, especially in the defense department. David Alaba has been out since last year with a cruciate ligament tear and is not expected back until next year.

Dani Carvajal picked up a similar injury in early October and is out for the season. Aurelien Tchoumaneni, who has been deployed as a makeshift centre-back, suffered an ankle sprain in Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with AC Milan and will be out for at least six weeks.

Eder Militao is also ruled out of the season with a cruciate ligament tear, and Lucas Vazquez is sidelined for three weeks. This leaves Fran Garcia, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, and Jesus Vallejo as the only fit first-team defenders at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal.

The LaLiga giants have reportedly made the signing of a defender a priority in 2025. They will now look towards bolstering their defensive unit in the upcoming January transfer window.