Real Madrid has been dealt a blow ahead of their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Sociedad. French forward Kylian Mbappé, who had been expected to feature, will not play in the match after facing a dental issue.
The match will take place at Sociedad’s stadium on Wednesday, starting at 2:30 AM Bangladesh time. The day before, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had strongly stated that Mbappé would be available for the match.
“Mbappé will travel tomorrow (Wednesday). He had a dental issue, and he couldn’t train today (Tuesday), but he will travel tomorrow, and every player who travels will have a chance to play,” Ancelotti said.
However, despite the initial optimism, the La Liga champions have announced their squad for the match without the World Cup-winning star. The squad also does not include goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielder Federico Valverde.
Mbappé has been in exceptional form recently, having scored 14 goals for Real Madrid so far this year. He has netted 17 goals in La Liga this season from 23 matches, and 7 goals in 10 Champions League appearances, including a hat-trick against Manchester City last week.
Courtois, the regular goalkeeper, was unlikely to play in this match. Andriy Lunin has handled goalkeeping duties for all three of the team’s Copa del Rey matches so far this season.
Valverde is likely being rested. The star, who played against City last week, is not fully fit.
After the Sociedad match, Real Madrid will face Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday and Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday.
