The left-back position at Real Madrid has gone from being one of the most problematic areas to one of the most encouraging in Jose Mourinho's squad.
Until last season, Los Blancos were trying in vain to find a belated successor to Marcelo, with the position almost resembling a game of musical chairs.
Alvaro Carreras was at the club last year, but he took some time to adapt to life in Spain and seemed to have a falling-out with manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
What initially appeared to be a straightforward hierarchy following Marc Cucurella's summer arrival has developed into genuine competition.
According to Diario AS (h/t Madrid Zone ), Mourinho is extremely satisfied with both defenders. Although Cucurella remains his preferred option for big fixtures, Carreras is not far behind.
Cucurella strengthened his case with an outstanding performance against Barcelona on Sunday. He hardly gave Lamine Yamal room to breathe in the 2-1 win at the Camp Nou .
Mourinho is even said to have praised the La Masia graduate for his performance on the night.
He told the team, "Cucu is an example to follow in fighting throughout 90 minutes".
The former Chelsea defender demonstrated excellent defensive discipline and also benefitted from Yan Diomande's willingness to track back.
Alvaro Carreras is having a much better second season at Real Madrid. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
Mourinho was particularly pleased with that performance, having deliberately rested Cucurella against RB Leipzig to ensure he arrived fresh for the Clasico .
However, Carreras has been equally determined to prove his worth. The Spaniard impressed against Leipzig.
He had previously also delivered an excellent performance against Rayo Vallecano, where he scored a goal and won a penalty.
The competition presents Mourinho with an interesting tactical advantage. He can pick and choose the horse he wants based on the course.
While Cucurella offers greater defensive security against dangerous wingers, Carreras provides attacking energy and the ability to contribute in advanced positions.
Rather than treating Carreras as a conventional back-up, Mourinho has shown that both players can contribute depending on the demands of individual matches.
Marc Cucurella had no problem marshalling Lamine Yamal on Sunday. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Indeed, the manager recently acknowledged that having two high-quality left-backs allows him to rotate without significantly weakening the team.
Mourinho is said to want to rotate more and more as the season goes on to keep everyone fit and fresh amid a busy schedule.
Although Cucurella may have the edge in high-profile encounters for now, it won't take long for even that status to change.
Madrid are fortunate to have two Spaniards competing blow for blow for the left-back position, and Mourinho will hope for similar competition across the pitch in the coming months.
