Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the good news in his last press conference of the year, David Alaba will return to action in January. The Austrian defender has been out for more than a year after a torn cruciate ligament, damaged meniscus and two operations.
Real Madrid are also in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, with Aurelien Tchouameni currently complacent next to Antonio Rudiger. Relief say that pauses should be put on any optimism that could improve their defense. There is uncertainty about what level he will be at when he returns, and Real Madrid I am not planning for him to be a realistic option in their most demanding games before March.
Ancelotti is set to pick Tchouameni, Raul Asencio and Jesus Vallejo as partners for Rudiger, although all signs suggest the Frenchman is his preferred option. Eder Militao is out for the rest of the season, and Vallejo has yet to start a game this season.
