Carlo Ancelotti should consider playing Pepe in central midfield for Real Madrid's crucial Champions League second-leg against Atletico Madrid, says Guillem Balague.
The Madrid manager has some tactical decisions to make ahead of the game after both Gareth Bale and Luka Modric limped out of their 3-1 win against Malaga on Saturday.
To add to Ancelotti's worries, Karim Benzema is also a major doubt for Wednesday's match that is locked at 0-0 after the first-leg.
Javier Hernandez is expected to replace Benzema up front but the central midfield position alongside Toni Kroos is up for grabs with Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira, who have been used sparingly by Ancelotti this season, the obvious like-for-like replacements for Modric.
However, Balague thinks that Ancelotti will bring defender Pepe into midfield for the game to give more licence for Kroos, James and Isco to push forward.
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“Pepe played in central midfield against Barcelona in 2011 and they managed to draw the game when Jose Mourinho was playing three strong midfielders," he told Revista de la Liga.
"Carlo Ancelotti would like to play Sami Khedira but he has his mind on next season and not at Real Madrid. He doesn’t like Asier Illarramendi.
"What is the biggest danger provided from Atletico Madrid? Set-pieces. If you play Raphael Varane, who was brilliant last week, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, who sometimes plays in that position for Portugal, you have a solution.
"It would allow Kroos to play in his natural position and you finally have the chance to play a defensive midfielder with a defensive mentality."
Guillem Balague
“It would allow Kroos to play in his natural position and you finally have the chance to play a defensive midfielder with a defensive mentality – something that Kroos doesn’t have. You also have the ability to attack with James on the right, Isco on the left and Chicarito and Ronaldo up front.”
Graham Hunter was in agreement with Balague regarding the thought process behind playing Pepe, pointing to a previous example of when Ancelotti decided to play a defensive-minded player in midfield in an important game.
He added: “The last time Real Madrid dominated Atletico was last season in the cup when Pepe, OK, played as a defender. But he came forward, scored goals and mixed in the midfield. Ancelotti also started Ramos in midfield last season in El Clasico – it’s within his repertoire.”
