Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has named Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy in his squad for Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, with Los Blancos being handed a triple fitness boost.
Mbappe’s involvement in El Clasico had been in doubt when he picked up an ankle injury during the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Premier League outfit Arsenal.
However, the France international trained on Thursday, and having come through Friday morning’s session unscathed, he has been included in the squad for the clash with Hansi Flick‘s side.
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Mendy has also returned, with the defender in line to make his first appearance since suffering a muscular problem in the Champions League last-16 second leg with Atletico Madrid on March 12.
The 29-year-old has featured on 30 occasions for Real Madrid during the 2024-25 campaign, but he is unlikely to be in the XI for the first whistle on Saturday, with Fran Garcia instead set to be given the nod.
© Imago
Mbappe, Mendy return to Real Madrid squad for El Clasico
Real Madrid were expected to be without the services of David Alaba on Saturday, with the Austrian being forced off at the interval of the clash with Getafe last time out through injury.
After the match, head coach Ancelotti said that Alaba would miss El Clasico, but the issue was not as serious as first feared, and he has been included in the squad for the Copa del Rey final.
Los Blancos will therefore be missing three players through injury on Saturday, with Eduardo Camavinga ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to the adductor injury that he suffered against Getafe last time out.
Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain long-term absentees with knee injuries, although there is believed to be a chance that both could be included in the squad for the Club World Cup in June.
© Imago
Bellingham included amid concerns regarding shoulder injury
Jude Bellingham is set to start against Barcelona, but there are currently concerns regarding a long-term shoulder problem which is believed to still be causing the England international pain.
According to journalist Jorge Picon, Real Madrid are not ruling out the possibility of Bellingham undergoing an operation following the Club World Cup in June, which could see him miss the start of the 2025-26 La Liga campaign.
Real Madrid squad vs. Barcelona:
Courtois, Lunin, Gonzalez; Alaba, Vazquez, Vallejo, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy, Asencio; Bellingham, Valverde, Modric, Tchouameni, Guler, Ceballos; Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim
Written by
Matt Law
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Who will win Saturday’s Copa del Rey clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid?
Barcelona
Draw
Real Madrid
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