Real Madrid superstar a doubt for Copa del Rey final – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid stirred up the RFEF last night with their threat to boycott the final of the Copa del Rey, but the administrative body confirmed that the same referees will continue to officiate the game irrespective of Los Blancos’ pressure.

Now, all attention must turn to the field in Seville where El Clasico is set to kick off in under 24 hours. The game, after all, must be won on the field irrespective of the noise and controversy.

Carlo Ancelotti has a lot to ponder about on that front, especially with a change in formation now appearing to be his best step forward. Reverting to a 4-4-2, however, will come at the cost of one of the team’s star forwards.

A new development

As relayed by COPE in a recent update, Kylian Mbappe is still suffering from discomfort in his right ankle. His participation against Barcelona is, thus, under doubt.

Kylian Mbappe has not completely recovered. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The Frenchman has been included in Real Madrid’s squad to face Barcelona but his sensations may not be positive enough to warrant risking a start. In such a case, it will be Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo who might start as the forwards on the night.

Needless to say, this comes as a major setback to Ancelotti’s plans especially given the fact that Mbappe has been the team’s most important player and decisive in front of goal.

A cameo in the second half cannot be ruled out, but Real Madrid stand to lose in the broader sense regardless with their top goalscorer out.

Notably, however, even Barcelona are without their top goalscorer with Robert Lewandowski sidelines through injury and it will be interesting to see how both teams fare if both strikers do not play a part.

The one silver lining of the development is that the Italian manager will have fewer doubts about shifting to a 4-4-2 if indeed Mbappe is injured.