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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Real Madrid edged out Alaves 1-0</li><li>Tchouameni was used as a makeshift centre back</li><li>French international being viewed as stop-gap solution to fix defensive woes</li></ul>

Real Madrid’s defensive problems solved? Aurelien Tchouameni could be ‘one of the best centre-backs’ in the world, says manager Carlo Ancelotti

LaLiga

Atletico Madrid

Deportivo Alaves

Leganes

Real Madrid

Although <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-player-ratings-vs-alaves-lucas-vazquez/bltc78efb12eefafa61" target="_blank">Lucas Vasquez's stoppage-time winner bailed out Los Blancos on Thursday evening against Alaves</a> in Vitoria, Nacho Fernandez's red card early in the second half put them in a spot of bother.Nacho's expulsion left Ancelotti with Antonio Rudiger as the sole available centre-back, which forced the manager to use Tchouameni at the heart of defence. Despite primarily playing as a midfielder, Tchouameni's impressive performance in Vitoria impressed Ancelotti and the manager backed him to temporarily fill the centre-back role until Nacho is available.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to reporters, Ancelotti said: "Tchouameni will get angry for this, but he’s amazing as a central defender. He is lucky he can play as a midfielder and as a defender. He has all the qualities to be one of the best centre-backs in the world. He plays very well, he takes the ball out from behind like very few others and tactically as well he is very good."

WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

Ancelotti might use Tchouameni as a centre-back in the future as Madrid finds themselves without their first <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-players-injured-team-mate-david-alaba-personalised-jackets-touching-moment-alaves/blt98422ac3b65e8d31" target="_blank">first-choice centre-backs Eder MIlitao and David Alaba. </a>While Militao is expected to be back in action at the business end of the season, the Austrian defender might not be available until the beginning of the next campaign after he ruptured his ACL earlier in December.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Real Madrid have been linked with a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-man-utd-raphael-varane-david-alaba-knee-injury/blt95580530ce148369#cs9cacd4e752ba0447" target="_blank">shock move for Manchester United's Raphael Varane</a> in the winter transfer window to fill their defensive gaps.

DID YOU KNOW?

Real Madrid head into the winter break as the top team in La Liga and will resume action against Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 3rd, 2024.

WHAT NEXT?

Real Madrid’s defensive problems solved? Aurelien Tchouameni could be ‘one of the best centre-backs’ in the world, says manager Carlo Ancelotti | Goal.com

Carlo Ancelotti believes Aurelien Tchouameni could be &apos;one of the best centre-backs&quot; in the world after stellar display against Alaves.