Real braces for Sevilla test with defense worries
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Zinedine Zidane has a big problem.
The Real Madrid coach is facing an important match against Sevilla tomorrow with his defense in tatters.
Marcelo, at left back, will be Zidane鈥檚 only first-choice player in Real鈥檚 back four and defensive midfield position.
A loss would leave Real at risk of falling 11 points behind leader Barcelona and knock it out of the top-four spots 鈥 which earn UEFA Champions League berths 鈥 before it travels to the United Arab Emirates for the Club World Cup.
Sergio Ramos will serve a one-game ban for being sent off with two bookings during a 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao. Right back Dani Carvajal and holding midfielder Casemiro will also miss the Sevilla match because of accumulation of yellow cards after getting booked at San Mames.
To make matters worse, Real will be without Ramos鈥 partner in the center of the defense after Raphael Varane was injured in the first half of its 3-2 home win over Borussia Dortmund in the UCL on Wednesday.
Zidane said that youngster Jesus Vallejo, who would be in line to take the place of Ramos or Varane, is doubtful. He is bothered by an unspecified minor injury.
鈥(Varane) has hurt himself and we will have to see what it is. He won鈥檛 be with us Saturday, that much is certain,鈥 Zidane said after Wednesday鈥檚 match. 鈥淎nd with Vallejo we鈥檒l have to see.鈥
Zidane said he still has options to patch up his defense, including using Marcos Llorente, a midfielder who has played very little for Zidane, as a defender.
The spate of suspensions and injuries leave Real looking at a possible backline of Marcelo and Nacho Fernandez, a trusted backup, along with Llorente and 19-year-old right back Achraf Hakimi. Mateo Kovacic could be shifted into Casemiro鈥檚 place in front of the defense.
Hakimi and Llorente, both newcomers to the first squad, have combined for just over 1,000 minutes this season. Ramos and Varane have combined for more than 3,000.
鈥淲e will find a solution,鈥 Zidane said. 鈥淚 am not worried about the match against Sevilla. I will focus on fielding a competitive team for Saturday and that鈥檚 that.鈥
Real has already been criticized for overhauling its bench last offseason, when it brought in a bunch of younger players with promise while letting a number of time-tested players go. Among those were center back Pepe and right back Danilo.
That decision could come under more scrutiny tomorrow, if Real鈥檚 inexperienced players don鈥檛 hold up against a Sevilla team that arrives after qualifying for the last 16 of the UCL on Wednesday.
鈥淚t鈥檚 clear they have a problem in defense,鈥 Sevilla midfielder Pablo Sarabia said. 鈥淲e are aware of that and will try to take advantage of it.鈥
Sevilla has options in attack, including striker Luis Muriel, forwards Wissam Ben Yedder and Manuel 鈥淣olito鈥 Agudo, and midfielder Ever Banega.
Sevilla heads into the match level on points with Real, which is clinging to 4th place thanks to its better overall goal average.
Sevilla will aim to capitalize on Real鈥檚 uneven performances at the Bernabeu this season. Real has only won four of its seven league matches at home, was held 1-1 at home by Tottenham Hotspur in the UCL, and endured a 2-2 home draw with third-division club Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey last week.
鈥淲e know that if we win there,鈥 Sarabia said, 鈥渋t will be an extra boost of confidence for everything that their stadium represents.鈥
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