Modric makes the Real Madrid squad for the Copa del Rey final
The Croatian was doubtful for Saturday’s Cup final against Osasuna but will make the trip to Seville although he is not guaranteed to start the game.
Good news for Real Madrid as Luka Modric returned to full training and has been included in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad list for Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Osasuna. The Croatian has been battling against the clock to recover from a hamstring tear. His last outing was in the 4-2 defeat to Girona - he was taken off on 63 minutes and seen with an ice pack strapped to his left thigh as he watched the rest of the game from the dugout.
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Ancelotti is optimistic about having Modric available for Saturday’s final and/or Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester City although the Italian coach, who is extremely cautious with players coming back from injury, won’t take any unnecessary risks. Modric completed most of Thursday’s session and coaching staff will be keen to see how he gets on in tomorrow evening’s session at La Cartuja. Much of it will depend on the player’s own gut instinct and the sensations he gets in Friday’s workout. The initial timeframe established by Madrid’s medical staff for Modric to make a full recovery was two weeks, so he had undercut that by five days.
As always, seeing as it’s a final, Ancelotti will take all of his available players - including those who are still 100% fit or who have hardly figured this season (Odriozola, Mariano). Férland Mendy makes the trip although he is not yet over a calf muscle injury, Vinícius took a knock to his knee in the Almería game and was rested in Tuesday’s game against Real Sociedad while Fede Valverde was an unused sub in the defeat to the Basques. David Alaba, who has struggles with various fitness issues since the start of the New Year is available again and makes the list.
Real Madrid will travel down to Seville on Friday afternoon and have a training session programmed at La Cartuja for 20:00 hours CEST (2 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m. PDT).
Real Madrid squad
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Luis López.
Defenders: Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Lucas Vázquez, Rüdiger and Mendy.
Midfielders: Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni and Ceballos.
Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Mariano.