Aurelien Tchouameni, a defensive midfielder by trade, partnered academy graduate Raul Asencio, 21, who only made his Madrid debut in November, at centre-back against Atletico. Fellow academy defenders Joan Martinez and Jacobo Ramon are also out with injury, accelerating Asencio’s ascent into the first team this season.

Real Madrid has confirmed that Lucas Vazquez is the latest defensive player to suffer an injury, meaning Carlo Ancelotti's side is down to the bare bones for it

Real Madrid's Lucas Vazquez will miss at least the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff against Manchester City on Tuesday due to a hamstring injury, the Spanish club said on Sunday.