Real Madrid has encountered a significant setback just days before their much-anticipated Copa del Rey final against long-time rivals Barcelona, scheduled to take place on Saturday at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville.
The club, managed by Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, will be without two key first-team players for this crucial fixture — a development that has sent shockwaves through the club and its fanbase.
Following a narrow but vital 1-0 victory over Getafe in La Liga, which saw Real Madrid strengthen their position in second place with 72 points, Ancelotti delivered the disappointing news during a post-match announcement.
According to Spanish sports outlet Defensa Central, midfielder Eduardo Camavinga will miss the final after suffering an injury late in the match. In the 85th minute, Camavinga sustained a torn groin muscle, a serious blow to both the player and the team’s preparations for the final.
The report explained that despite the pain, Camavinga attempted to continue playing. However, less than a minute after play resumed, he could no longer cope and collapsed on the field. The situation escalated as Ancelotti visibly expressed his frustration, reportedly shouting at the medical staff for failing to substitute the player earlier.
Unfortunately, with all available substitutions already made, Camavinga initially refused to leave the pitch to avoid leaving his teammates a man down at such a decisive stage of the match. His determination to support the team despite injury was noted by many but ultimately, he had no choice but to exit the game.
To compound the problem, Defensa Central also confirmed that Austrian defender David Alaba will not feature in the Copa del Rey final either.
Alaba sustained a muscle injury during the same match against Getafe and has been ruled out of action. This double absence poses a significant challenge for Ancelotti, who had originally planned to start Camavinga in a left-back role for the final.
The loss of these two important players so close to one of the season’s biggest fixtures leaves Real Madrid in a difficult position. As the team regroups and adjusts its strategy ahead of El Clásico, fans and analysts alike are left wondering how these injuries will affect the outcome of what promises to be an intense and fiercely contested final in Seville.
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