Real Madrid announced on Tuesday the squad list for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, which will take place on Thursday (20:00) against Atletico Madrid in Jeddah. The big news is the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who was already missing in the last match against Real Betis due to a knee sprain.Mbappe will not travel with the team, which leaves at 15:00 for Saudi Arabia, awaiting his evolution in the coming hours.
His possible participation in a hypothetical final if the Whites overcome the duel against Simeone’s side will depend on him, in which Xabi Alonso’s team will seek a place in the decisive match. For the moment, Kiki will continue his recovery process in Madrid. The club will wait for its options to be able to travel to Jeddah, as long as, of course, Xabi Alonso’s team manages to reach Sunday’s final against Athletic or Barcelona, who meet on Wednesday in the first semi-final.
Gonzalo, on stage
Mbappe’s absence gives Gonzalo a boost ahead of Thursday’s clash with Atletico. The most logical thing is for Xabi to repeat with the youth player as a No.9, especially considering the extraordinary performance of the Madrid native in last Sunday’s match against Betis. His perfect hat-trick against the Verdiblancos should serve to keep his place in the starting line-up, flanked on the flanks by Vinicius and Rodrygo
Dean Huijsen is on the list, as is Mbappe, who was absent against Betis due to muscular discomfort. The central defender has completed two training sessions and will be an alternative for Xabi when it comes to forming the defense that will face the Rojiblanco attack. Also included in the squad is Dani Carvajal, who was already included in the list for the last match, although he did not play. He could have minutes in Saudi Arabia, although the idea is that Fede Valverde will continue to be the starter at right-back.
There is also aTrentwho did not train on Tuesday and will not be able to play in the tournament, and who travels with the group to continue his recovery in Saudi Arabia (he is not expected to return to the field until February), as well as the youth players Fran Gonzalez, David Jimenez and Thiago Pitarch. Militao remains on the sidelines, injured until, in principle, next March. Brahimis also absent, as he is playing in theAfrican Cup of Nationswith Morocco.
Real Madrid squad
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Fran Gonzalez.
Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Trent, Asencio, Carreras, Fran Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy, Huijsen and David Jimenez.
Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Ceballos and Thiago.
Forwards: Vinicius, Rodrygo, Gonzalo and Mastantuono.
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