Carlo Ancelotti confirms Fede Valverde absence and discusses Dani Ceballos alternatives – ‘I’ll be polite’

Real Madrid seemed to have finally found some balance in midfield this season, with Dani Ceballos playing an orchestrating role alongside Aurelien Tchouameni. However Carlo Ancelotti will now be forced to reconstruct the platform for their attacks, after Ceballos was ruled out for two months on Thursday.

It likely means that one of Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric or Fede Valverde will be used in midfield instead of Ceballos. The Croatian probably has the closest skillset to Ceballos, but at the age of 39, there are concerns about his ability to hold up physically. Ancelotti expressed confidence in his alternatives though.

"I'm going to be 'polite'. Modric can play. He is one of the few who has not had injuries. He has great physical condition. I don't see why he can't. The data we have is of a player who is well prepared."