Ancelotti is left with a depleted defense, significant absence against Rayo Vallecano

The Preparation for the Match Against Rayo Vallecano, to be played next Sunday, March 9, has left a last-minute concern for Real Madrid. According to the information published by MARCA, the defense of the merengue team will have to face 'La Franja' without their best footballer so far: Antonio Rüdiger.

The unexpected last-minute absence of the German '22', fortunately, is not due to physical problems. Despite the discomfort that the Berlin center-back has shown in his left knee and hip, the reason that has sidelined Antonio Rüdiger is quite different. A flu process, the aforementioned sports outlet points out, would have ruled out the German defender from Carlo Ancelotti's squad.

The Real Madrid footballer would have trained alone, apart from his teammates, to avoid a catastrophe in the first team. Because there is barely a week left for the visit to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the return leg of the Champions League round of 16. For now, the current focus is on the first team and the main concern is Rüdiger's condition for the clash against Rayo Vallecano.

In MARCA they point out that the German defender is doubtful for this match at Santiago Bernabéu, a game for which less than a day remains. The usual prudence of the coaching staff and medical services of Real Madrid, however, offers a quite clear roadmap with a footballer who is essential for the team.

Unexpected Modification

In this situation, Antonio Rüdiger would be absent from the match against Rayo Vallecano. This absence would force Carlo Ancelotti to rely on Raúl Asencio and David Alaba as center-backs, leaving Aurélien Tchouaméni in his natural position in the merengue midfield. But not all would be bad news with this flu process of the Madrid '22'.

Because it would allow him to rest, albeit not fully, during the match against Íñigo Pérez's pupils. Carlo Ancelotti would recover Antonio Rüdiger for the return leg of the Champions League round of 16against Atlético de Madrid, a match in which failure is not an option.

This break, now forced by this untimely flu process, will also serve to reduce the tension regarding Antonio Rüdiger's physical discomfort. The former Chelsea player has played practically every match this season with hardly any rest, causing his robust physical condition to particularly suffer in the last league matches.

The problems with his left knee were already a call for caution for the coaching staff led by Carlo Ancelotti. But this flu process that leaves him doubtful for the clash against Rayo Vallecano is the 'ideal excuse' to extend his rest until Wednesday, March 12.