Carlo Ancelotti to play Pepe in midfield for Atletico Madrid showdown?

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly considering using Pepe in midfield for tonight's Champions League quarter-final second leg with Atletico Madrid.

Toni Kroos's regular midfield partner Luka Modric is sidelined by injury and alternatives Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira have been used sparingly this season.

The more attacking option of Isco is expected to be used further forward as Madrid are also missing Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema for a tie which is locked at 0-0 from last week's first leg at Vicente Calderon.

Sky Sports News claims that having Raphael Varane at his disposal could tempt Ancelotti into picking the Frenchman alongside Sergio Ramos in defence and pushing Pepe into the centre of the park.

The Portuguese centre-back was occasionally deployed in midfield by former manager Jose Mourinho.