Injuries have once again hit Real Madrid at a crucial time in the season, forcing Carlo Ancelotti to look for solutions in the youth ranks. With a shortage of available center-backs, the Italian coach has decided to trust Jacobo Ramón, a young defender who is emerging as an alternative to reinforce the team's defense.

The rise of Jacobo Ramón

Jacobo Ramón, born on January 6, 2005, in Madrid, has developed his entire career in the lower categories of Real Madrid. He joined the club's academy in 2013, when he was only eight years old. With an imposing height of 1.90m, he stands out for his aerial ability and his skill in distributing the ball from defense. He has also been called up to Spain's youth teams, playing for the U-18 and U-19 categories.

The young center-back had his first opportunity with the first team on January 22, when he made his debut at the Santiago Bernabéu against Salzburg. He came on in the 77th minute to replace Antonio Rüdiger, becoming the sixth academy player that Ancelotti has given playing time to this season. His performance that day left a positive impression, which has earned him a new call-up, especially amid the injury crisis affecting Real Madrid's defense.

With injuries to David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger, Ancelotti has been forced to experiment with alternative options in the center of defense, such as Aurélien Tchouaméni, although without success. It is expected that Jacobo Ramón will become a key player in the backline and could form a partnership with Raúl Asencio in the upcoming crucial matches, including the derby against Atlético Madrid and the Champions League Round of 16 against Manchester City.

Ancelotti's confidence

Carlo Ancelotti has expressed full confidence in Jacobo Ramón, highlighting his ability to quickly adapt to the demands of the first team. "We have to manage this emergency well, but I trust the young players. Jacobo has been injured a lot, but now he's ready to contribute," said the Real Madrid coach. With this confidence, Jacobo Ramón now has the opportunity to establish himself in European football's elite.

After his debut, Jacobo Ramón expressed his excitement: "It's a dream come true. I've worked hard for this and now I just think about continuing to improve and helping the team in whatever it needs." Now, with a new opportunity ahead, the Real Madrid academy product has the great chance to showcase his quality and live up to the big challenges ahead.