The conversation in the Spanish capital is whether Real Madrid can save their season in the final of Copa del Rey, because they hope to pipen Rivals Barcelona to the final. It can also be decisive in the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti, with many about the last weeks of his term of office.
That is why the line-up to which Acelotti applies, is dissected and placed under a microscope. After losing 4-0 and 5-2 in the previous two meetings, Ancelotti has to come up with new solutions against the Blaugrana. Without Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, Ancelotti is somewhat short in his backline.
The Frenchman would probably be the left back for which Ancelotti chose Lamine Yamal, but after his serious tendon injury he will be forced to use one of Fran Garcia or Ferland Mendy. The first is rarely familiar for large occasions by the Italian coach, but fights Fit and has improved this season. After a month, Mendy, on the other hand, only returned from a hamstring injury and will have a certain degree of rust. Theoretically, however, he is more suitable for tackling Barcelona's attacking quality and has Ancelotti's confidence.
According to Marca, Ancelotti goes for Mendy. They explain that he has seen enough of Mendy in the training to use it and prefers to choose his experience above Garcia. That solves one of the most important doubts in his Copa Final Xi, with Fede Valverde who starts on the right, and a midfield including Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos.
The remaining doubt is about Rodrygo. If the Brazilian continues to attack, it will de facto mean to use it as a broad player in a 4-4-2, or to drop Bellingham deeper in a midfield. As an alternative, Ancelotti could further maintain the threat of Bellingham and add more control with veteran Luka Modric in midfield.