Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says his team is in a “total emergency” because several key players are injured.
The LaLiga champions are struggling with defensive problems ahead of Saturday’s match against Atlético Madrid.
After losing to Espanyol last week, Real Madrid could lose their top spot if Atlético wins at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The team is missing David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger due to recent injuries.
Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão are also out for a long time with ACL injuries.
Ancelotti said: “We are in a serious situation. Alaba, Rüdiger, Carvajal, Militão—these players are all injured.
Do you think I wouldn’t prefer Valverde and Tchouaméni in midfield? Or to have Carvajal, Militão, and Alaba in defense? Of course, I would.
But we have to keep going with the players we have.”