Real Madrid will begin Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against fierce rivals Barcelona with French superstar Kylian Mbappe on the bench.
Mbappe, who suffered an ankle injury during Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Arsenal last week, has missed the club’s last two La Liga fixtures. Despite recovering sufficiently to be included in the matchday squad, coach Carlo Ancelotti has opted not to risk him in the starting lineup.
Madrid will field a strong midfield quartet, with Jude Bellingham anchoring the creative efforts behind attacking duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes.
Ferland Mendy also returns to the starting XI at left-back, following a six-week spell out due to a hamstring injury.
The decision to keep Mbappe on the bench could be crucial as Madrid seek to clinch another Copa del Rey title against their arch-rivals Barcelona in what promises to be a thrilling Clasico showdown.
