Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and Vinicius Jr. will return when Real Madrid and Osasuna clash in the Copa del Rey final.
Real Madrid will aim to win the Copa del Rey when they lock horns with Osasuna in the final at Estadio La Cartuja on Saturday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti has a near-full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ferland Mendy is the only absentee for Real Madrid, with Ancelotti naming a strong squad for the final. But David Alaba and Luka Modric have regained their fitness ahead of the grand final against Osasuna this weekend.
During his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti spoke about Alaba and Modric. And the Real Madrid boss insisted that both players regained enough fitness to be ready for the game against Osasuna.
Ancelotti said, “It’s a doubt we have. Yesterday he [Modric] trained very well, without any problems. He’ll train again today and we’ll speak to him and decide whether to put him in from the start. He felt very good yesterday and we’ll talk about it again after training. If he doesn’t feel comfortable we won’t take any risks. If he feels comfortable and is well, he’ll play.”
Real Madrid vs Osasuna Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“It’s an issue we have evaluated this week. He [Alaba] is doing very well because he’s trained hard and the indications have been positive. We are have serious doubts about risking him tomorrow, because in football we can’t be 100 per cent sure that there won’t be any problems. In terms of his muscular progression, he is over the injury and he could start the game.”
Meanwhile, discussing his team composition, Ancelotti said, “We can do it [repeat the starting lineup] taking into account the importance of tomorrow’s game. We will look at it again on Saturday and Monday. Choosing the right players for a final is always tricky. We haven’t got here because of 11 players, but because of the commitment of many.”
Real Madrid will line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Osasuna, with Thibaut Courtois taking his spot between the sticks. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal’s suspension does not carry over to the Copa del Rey. So the veteran full-back will start on the right flank, with Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger forming the central defensive partnership.
Meanwhile, the fit-again David Alaba will start as the left-back on Saturday instead of Eduardo Camavinga. As for the midfield unit, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric are the three first-choice midfielders for Ancelotti. And the trio should start ahead of Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos on Saturday.
Finally, the offensive department should feature Karim Benzema, Rodrygo Goes, and Vinicius Jr. on Saturday. Benzema will spearhead the Real Madrid attack, with Vinicius and Rodrygo being the two wide men. So Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard will be options on the bench.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
