COPA DEL REY
Real Madrid’s possible starting XI for today’s Copa del Rey final against Osasuna
Carlo Ancelotti has almost a full squad to choose from but will have to decide whether to risk Luka Modric after injury.
On Saturday, Real Madrid have the opportunity to win their third trophy of the season as they hope to add the Copa del Rey to the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in their trophy cabinet. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are firm favourites to see off Osasuna at La Cartuja in Seville and win the domestic Spanish cup for the 20th time in their history. Their last triumph in the competition - and indeed their last final - came all the way back in 2014, when they defeated Barcelona in Valencia thanks to that Gareth Bale goal.
Real Madrid - Osasuna: Copa del Rey final, live online
Modric may not be risked in Copa del Rey final
Ancelotti has almost a full roster to choose from for the clash, with left-back Ferland Mendy the only confirmed absentee. Although Luka Modric could be involved, he is unlikely to play from the start and may only feature later in the game if deemed necessary. With the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City only three days away, the Italian won’t take any needless risks with his star midfielder. Either Dani Ceballos or Aurélien Tchouaméni is set to take Modric’s place in the team, with the Spaniard favourite to get the nod.
As always, Thibaut Courtois will start in goal. Backup Andriy Lunin started Madrid’s first cup match away to third-tier Cacereño but the Belgian was soon drafted back in for ties against LaLiga opponents.
Alaba fit to return after injury
In defence, David Alaba is available again after injury and looks likely to partner Eder Militão in central defence, with the pair flanked by Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga. The Frenchman will stand-in for compatriot Mendy, with Nacho and Antonio Rüdiger beginning on the bench.
Toni Kroos will once again play the holding midfield role, as he has done in several recent games, including the 4-0 trashing of Barcelona in the semi-final second leg at Camp Nou. Fede Valverde will shuttle up and down on the right of the German with, as mentioned, Ceballos and Tchouaméni fighting it out for the third midfield spot. If the former Monaco man is ultimately chosen, he would play the deeper-lying role, with Kroos moving slightly forward and left, his ‘traditional’ position in the Madrid midfield.
Rodrygo-Benzema-Vinícus trident in form
The forward line pretty much picks itself at the moment, with Rodrigo on the right flank and Vinícius on the left, either side of Karim Benzema. All three started in the aforementioned win over Barça, helping Madrid overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit in Catalonia.
Lunin, Luis López, Lucas Vázquez, Álvaro Odriozola, Rüdiger, Nacho, Jesús Vallejo, Modric, Tchouameni or Ceballos, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Mariano are the men in contention for places on the bench, although one will not be stripped (probably Vallejo or Odriozola).
Possible Real Madrid team to play Osasuna
Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos or Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Benzema and Vinicius.