Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that David Alaba can play in Real Madrid's match with Las Palmas on Sunday, more than a year after suffering a serious knee injury.
The Austria international has been sidelined since December 2023 after suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a LaLiga match. The 32-year-old underwent further knee surgery in May 2024.
The centre-back has scored five goals and registered nine assists in 102 appearances for Madrid since joining from Bayern Munich in July 2021.
“[Alaba] is fine. He played 40 minutes yesterday, with a good feeling. It's clear he needs some rhythm; the knee is responding well,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“He won't start tomorrow, but he can get a few minutes.”
Alaba's return to the squad will be a boost for Madrid as their backline is already weakened by the absences of Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, also due to ACL injuries.
While Alaba was on the squad list, talisman Vinicius Junior was not suspended after being shown a red card in Madrid's 2-1 win over Valencia in their last league match.
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Defending champions Madrid are second with 43 points but despite their position, Ancelotti has come in for criticism following their 5-2 humiliation at the hands of rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana in Saudi Arabia last week.
The defeat in Jeddah was followed by a difficult victory over Celta Vigo in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey on Thursday, prompting boos from the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ancelotti said he still had the club's full support.
“This team is alive and will fight to the end. I don't feel hurt when I'm questioned; it's part of my job. I feel as supported by the club as ever,” said the 65-year-old Italian coach.
“If you think you know everything – which you don't – you stop learning and you lose your edge. I need to improve in many areas. There are times when we don't play well and that's on me.
“The match against Barcelona was my responsibility and it is fair and justified that the fans criticize me, but the fans have not forgotten what we achieved.”
Madrid drew 1-1 in their last meeting with Las Palmas in August; Only three times before have Los Blancos dropped points in both meetings with Las Palmas in LaLiga, and not since 2016/17 (D2).
However, Madrid have not lost any of their 35 home games against Las Palmas in LaLiga (W30 D5), a record number of home games without a defeat by any team against an opponent in the history of the competition.
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