Rüdiger, Real Madrid's only centre-back available against Villarreal

In the Champions League press room, Deportivo journalist Rueda announced that Antonio Rüdiger will be the only centre‑back that Real Madrid can line up against Villarreal. The absence of several centre‑backs forces José Mourinho to rethink the defence. The announcement comes just before the decisive match.

Key absences and length of injuries

Rueda reported that Raúl Asencio is out for two to three months after a fracture of his right tibia. The player had tried a conservative treatment for months, but ultimately opted for surgery after a meeting with the coaching staff and doctors.

Asencio has not played any official minutes this season under Mourinho's direction and his return is expected at the end of 2026 or early 2027, according to the club.

Antonio Rüdiger's situation

Antonio Rüdiger, 33, is the only centre‑back available for the match and his contract runs until June 2027, although the club does not plan a one‑year extension. Valdebebas' plan is to rejuvenate the position, and the club already has Jacobo Ramón on its radar, currently at Como, whose possible buy‑back will be examined in 2027.

With this strategy, Real Madrid aims to bring fresh blood into the defence, but the lack of a partner at centre‑back leaves the coach without clear options.

Mourinho will not be able to form a regular centre‑back partnership and therefore will have to place a player from another position in the back line. That decision will be made day by day in Valdebebas' training sessions.

For Villarreal, the situation does not change: their eleven will depend on facing a Real Madrid with only one centre‑back available. The defensive scarcity of the white team becomes the main open issue of the match.

The limited range of defensive options for Real Madrid raises doubts about its solidity in the Champions League group stage, while the club continues planning a structural renewal of the defence.