Alaba set for return as Ancelotti defends Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed David Alaba could play in Real Madrid's clash with Las Palmas on Monday (AEDT), more than a year after sustaining a serious knee injury.
The Austria international has been sidelined since December 2023 after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in his left knee during a LaLiga game.
The 32-year-old underwent more knee surgery in May 2024.
The centre-back has scored five goals and registered nine assists in 102 appearances for Madrid since joining in July 2021 from Bayern Munich.
"[Alaba] is fine. He played 40 minutes yesterday, with a good feeling. Obviously he needs a bit of rhythm; the knee responds well," Ancelotti said.
"He won't start tomorrow, but he can get some minutes."
Alaba's return to the squad will be a boost for Madrid, with its backline already weakened by the absences of Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, also because of ACL injuries.
While Alaba was included in the squad list, talisman Vinicius Junior was not because of a suspension after receiving a red card in Madrid's 2-1 win at Valencia in its most recent league match.
Defending league champion Madrid is second with 43 points but, despite its position, Ancelotti has faced criticism after the 5-2 humiliation by rival Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final last week in Saudi Arabia.
The defeat in Jeddah was followed by a laboured extra-time win over Celta Vigo on Friday (AEDT) in a Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash, which led to boos from the fans at Santiago Bernabeu.
Ancelotti said he still had the club's full backing, and could take it top of the table with a victory over Las Palmas thanks to Atletico slipping to defeat at Leganes on Sunday (AEDT).
"This team is alive and will fight until the end. I'm not hurt by being questioned; it's part of my job. I feel just as supported by the club as ever," the 65-year-old Italian coach said.
"If you think you know everything – which isn't my case – you stop learning and lose your edge. I need to improve in many areas. There are times when we don't play well, and that's on me.
"The match against Barcelona was my responsibility, and it's fair and justified for the fans to criticise me, but the fans haven't forgotten what we have achieved."
Madrid drew its previous meeting with Las Palmas 1-1 in August. Only three times before have Los Blancos dropped points in both meetings with Las Palmas in LaLiga, and not since 2016-2017.
However, Madrid has not lost any of its 35 home games against Las Palmas in LaLiga, a record number of home matches without defeat by any team against an opponent in the competition's history.
