Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Aurelien Tchouameni will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.
Real Madrid will aim to reach the Copa del Rey final when they welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Tuesday night. Carlo Ancelotti has no new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Thibaut Courtois remains on the sidelines due to a muscle injury. The Belgian international is a short-term absentee for the home side, with Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos also closing in on returning to action. They are three of five players missing from the matchday squad.
However, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are long-term absentees due to their knee injuries. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti discussed his squad’s goalkeeping situation while providing a fitness update on Mendy, Ceballos, and David Alaba.
The Real Madrid manager said, “We’ll have to see if we get there. Lunin or Courtois could both play and if they’re both injured, Fran González will take over. If we don’t make the final, none of them will play. Fran García is playing a lot and contributing well. Mendy is trying to get back for the Arsenal game, as is Ceballos.”
“He’s [Alaba] doing really well. He played for his country and loading him with games every two or three days might be a risk. He’s got a better chance tomorrow because he didn’t start against Leganés and the guys who didn’t play will be in contention tomorrow.”
Andriy Lunin will retain his spot between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of him against Real Sociedad on Tuesday. The backline should feature Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, and Fran Garcia.
As for the midfield unit, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni should pair up in the central areas, with Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham being the two wide midfielders. Finally, there is no looking past Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior as the two strikers.
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Predicted XI
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Vazquez, Asensio, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Rodrygo, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior