Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga are both likely to be absent for Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona due to injury problems.
Alaba was substituted for Camavinga at the interval of Wednesday's La Liga clash with Getafe, and the latter did manage to finish the game, which Real Madrid won 1-0, but the Frenchman was in discomfort late on.
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti said that both Alaba and Camavinga have muscular problems which are unlikely to have resolved in time for them to be available for El Clasico this weekend.
"David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga have picked up muscle injuries. They're unlikely to recover in time for the Barcelona match," Ancelotti told reporters when questioned on the duo.
Ferland Mendy could be back from a muscular problem of his own this weekend, although the Frenchman's lengthy absence will likely mean that Fran Garcia is given the nod at left-back against Barcelona.
Alaba, Camavinga set to miss Copa del Rey final
Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain on the sidelines due to knee injuries, but Real Madrid are hopeful that Kylian Mbappe will be able to overcome an ankle issue in order to feature in El Clasico.
Mbappe has now missed Real Madrid's last two league matches, one through suspension, and it remains to be seen whether the France international is declared fully-fit for the Copa del Rey final.
Arda Guler scored the only goal of the match against Getafe on Wednesday, as Real Madrid moved to within four points of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table, keeping the title race alive heading into the finals straight.
"The goal was to take three points and we did that, with a very strong first half, and then we struggled a bit in the second because Getafe pressed us more and we found it hard to keep control of the ball," said Ancelotti.
"It's true that in the last few games we've been more solid at the back, we're lacking a bit of a clinical edge up top. We were better in the first half, but in the second, we should have been more decisive with our counter-attacks."
Ancelotti: 'Barcelona favourites for Copa del Rey final'
Ancelotti has said that Barcelona are the "favourites" for the Copa del Rey final due to the Catalan outfit's form.
"It's a final and perhaps they are favourites. But a final is a final and anything can happen. In the final, we could play a 4-4-2 with six midfielders and no striker. We have to defend well and I'm sure we'll do that and create chances up the other end too," he said.
Ancelotti also revealed that Rodrygo would be starting on Saturday despite the Brazilian's recent struggles.
"Statistically, he has to play, because if he's gone all that time without a goal, he'll have to get one sooner or later. He always scores in these kinds of games and I have absolute faith in him," he said.
Should Mbappe miss out on Saturday, it is believed that Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo will play as the front two, with Jude Bellingham in the number 10 spot - a set-up that brought so much success last season. body check tags ::
