Real Madrid vs. PSG: 3 tactical changes Ancelotti must make to overturn the tie

2. Play David Alaba at Left-back

Ferland Mendy’s suspension for the second leg presents a serious challenge to Carlo Ancelotti. Even though he was not at his usual best against Angel Di Maria, he still is the world’s best defensive left-back. In his absence, Carlo has options of going with either Nacho or Marcelo as the left-back. However, he has an ace up his sleeve in the versatile David Alaba.

Left-back is not an alien position to Alaba. We may argue he has played his best football at Bayern Munich as a marauding left-back. Even this season he has two assists playing as a LB. It is his ball-carrying ability and leadership skills that prompted Carlo to use him as a center-back. However, he can be impactful on the left as well.

Real Madrid may remember his incredible performance at the Bernabeu playing for Bayern in the 2018 Champions League semi-final when the German side almost pulled off a comeback. He played as a left-back and terrorized the Real Madrid defense.

Alaba is fully adept at putting in crosses and sliding infields to create overloads. He is quick enough to track back and performs defensive duties. He will be up against Di Maria and Hakimi who have been superb for PSG.

But Alaba also has Vini in support. We have grown accustomed to seeing Mendy and Vini’s partnership on the left. However, Alaba can elevate Real Madrid’s offensive capabilities on a night when they would need to score first. Nacho is an able central defender who can cover up for Alaba and be the leader at the heart of the defense. It is time for Alaba to showcase his class as a match-changing left-back.