Ancelotti confirms Mbappe set to return for Copa del Rey final against Barcelona

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has provided a crucial injury update ahead of the highly anticipated Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, confirming that Kylian Mbappe is on course to return to the squad for Saturday’s clash.

Mbappe, who missed Madrid’s 1–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday and will also sit out Wednesday’s fixture against Getafe, has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained during last week’s Champions League elimination by Arsenal.

“For tomorrow’s game they will not be ready, but they will train on these days, and I think they will be available for the game on Saturday,” Ancelotti said during a press conference on Tuesday, also referencing French defender Ferland Mendy, who is expected to return alongside Mbappe.

The 25-year-old forward, Madrid’s top scorer this season with 33 goals, was substituted during the second leg against Arsenal and has since been racing against time to return to full fitness.

His absence was felt against Athletic, though Madrid still managed to secure a narrow win to stay within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Mbappe, who was briefly whistled by a section of fans at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday when shown on the big screen, is reportedly frustrated by his injury layoff.

“Mbappe is hurting because of his injury, because he cannot help the team — he’s doing everything he can to be ready for Saturday,”said Ancelotti.

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With Madrid adapting their tactical setup in the absence of their talisman, including the use of an extra midfielder, the coach acknowledged the challenges his team has faced this season.

“We’ve changed the way we play a bit because we have players with different characteristics. We’ve found it difficult to find this balance, and I hope we can find it in the run-in,” he added.
“Because we’ve got a lot on the line… in the games that are left, if we don’t have it, it will be hard to win.”

The El Clasico final will be a defining moment in Real Madrid’s season, with silverware and momentum at stake as the domestic campaign enters its final stretch.