Real Madrid’s expected center back pairing against Mallorca

Real Madrid will face Mallorca on Jan. 3 to kick off the new year in their return to LaLiga action following the Christmas break.

Even on points with rising side Girona, the margin for error remains slim for Los Blancos, even with rivals Barcelona slumping.

The big topic at the Valdebebas is the center back situation, as David Alaba joined Éder Militão on the injured list with an ACL tear of his own.

Real could still acquire a new body in the January transfer window, but, currently, it seems like they may stand pat or merely go for a cheap, no-risk loan deal as a means of fortifying the depth behind Antonio Rüdiger and Nacho Fernández.

Their next match against Mallorca represents a challenge of sorts, because Real Madrid will be without Nacho, who picked up a one-game suspension for a red card in their last-gasp 1-0 win over a stingy Deportivo Alavés.

Real Madrid, per a report from MARCA, are expected to start center midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni alongside Rüdiger at the heart of the defense against a Mallorca side that can be dangerous but is safely in the bottom half of the league table.

Tchouaméni is not a center back by trade, but Real clearly trust him in this position. Carlo Ancelotti gave the world-class Frenchman effusive praise for his efforts there, including after a near-flawless half-hour off the bench vs. Alavés.

Earlier this season, Tchou made his debut at center back for the Merengues in a blowout win over Osasuna, dazzling Madridistas with his all-around display of passing and defensive covering. Those are two traits he has shown in the midfield.

Real Madrid should strongly consider adding a top center back for both the short and long term, with Benfica’s António Silva standing out as a great candidate.

Until then, they can make do with Tchou.