Final Challenge for Real Madrid and Real Sociedad

More than a month after Endrick's goal decided a very evenly matched duel at Anoeta, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad are set to face the second and decisive leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Santiago Bernabéu this Tuesday. The Whites cling to the small advantage they gained at the Donostia fortress to return to La Cartuja Stadium on April 26, the scene of their last triumph in the KO tournament. However, the Txuri-urdin team appeals to history and the ambition of their squad to overturn the tie in a competition that could sweeten a grey season.

"Being close to a final motivates us all," said Carlo Ancelotti ahead of a match that could open the door for the Italian to become the first coach to secure three Copa del Rey titles at the helm of Real Madrid. Luis Molowny, Miguel Muñoz, and Paco Bru each won two, while twelve other coaches have one trophy each as part of their record within a club that boasts 20 in its cabinets. None reached a milestone that Ancelotti has within reach, having started his tally by defeating Barça in the final at Mestalla on April 16, 2014, with Gareth Bale's unforgettable run that left Marc Bartra sprawling, and increased it nine years later by defeating Osasuna thanks to a Rodrygo double that buried the Navarrese dream at La Cartuja.

Ancelotti now looks towards the same venue amid an exhausting campaign that will see Real Madrid play their 50th match since the Whites opened the season with the UEFA Super Cup in mid-August last year. It is a far cry from the days when the Reggiolo native was part of the midfield of that Milan team that made history under Arrigo Sacchi. "There wasn't this wear and tear. It's a different football," Carletto nostalgically recalled on the eve of another challenge without a safety net, where he will have to manage the efforts of a squad that battles the rigours of the calendar with a worrying tendency to pace themselves.

It happened again on Saturday against Leganés, a match the Whites won with more difficulty than expected thanks to Mbappé's firepower, which Ancelotti used to rest several key players who will return to the starting eleven against Real Sociedad. Valverde, Tchoauméni, Vinicius, and Rodrygo, all of whom entered late in the game against the Pepineros, will regain their status as pillars of a team that has injury absences of Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Mendy, and Ceballos.

Lunin will remain in goal, Ancelotti hinted that Alaba will be at the heart of the defence, and the big question is whether Mbappé, who has scored eleven goals in his last eleven matches with Real Madrid, will continue up front, or if Endrick, who has scored four of his six goals in the Copa del Rey since joining Real Madrid, will appear. "Beyond the competition, he lacks nothing," said the Taguatinga native, a coach who recalled that the Brazilian is competing for a spot with "players of extreme quality."

In contrast, Real Sociedad will bet everything on the Cup, having arrived at the first leg still involved in three competitions, but since then, Manchester United ended their Europa League journey, and they maintain an erratic league run. The victory achieved last Saturday against Valladolid served to boost the morale of a squad whose last win dated back to the match against Leganés that preceded the first Copa clash with Real Madrid.

Oyarzabal, who took a controlled risk against Pucela, will be fit to start against Real Madrid. Imanol recovers Aguerd, who missed the Valladolid match due to injury, and Barrenetxea, who was absent due to suspension. Óskarsson, recovered from the gastroenteritis that caused his last-minute absence in the league, will also be available, leaving Brais Méndez, Sheraldo Becker, Arsen Zakharyan, Jon Pacheco, and Álvaro Odriozola in the infirmary of a team that acknowledges Real Madrid's favouritism but sees itself capable of springing a surprise. "The players and I are convinced that we will be the ones in the final," proclaimed the Orio coach on the eve of a match that the Donostiarras approach with the 3-4 scoreline recorded five years ago at the Bernabéu as a reference to follow.

Real Madrid: Lunin, Valverde, Rüdiger, Alaba, Fran García, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius, and Endrick.

Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Ahien, Zubimendi, Sucic, Pablo Marín, Kubo, Oyarzabal, and Barrenetxea.

Referee: Alberola Rojas (Castilian-Manchego Committee).

Time: 21:30 h.

Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu.

TV: La 1 / Movistar Plus+.