Real Madrid will go into the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals without one of its key players: Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder will miss the clash against Real Sociedad as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, which has been troubling him since mid-January.

Valverde has been a crucial asset for Carlo Ancelotti, not only for his physicality and versatility but also because he has played the most minutes this season. His absence presents a challenge for the Italian coach, who has relied on him even as a right-back in recent weeks, a role where he has performed impressively.

Madrid prefers not to risk him so that he can be in top shape for the upcoming decisive fixtures. The LaLiga match against Real Betis this weekend and, more importantly, the Champions League showdown against Atlético Madrid are the club’s main concerns. As a result, Ancelotti has opted to give him time to recover and avoid a more serious injury.

Despite his heavy workload, the Uruguayan has managed to avoid a muscle tear, but the coaching staff is closely monitoring his progress. His absence against Real Sociedad forces Madrid to adjust its lineup at a crucial moment in the season, where every game is a battle for silverware.

Without Valverde, Madrid not only loses a midfield powerhouse but also a leader in the dressing room. His return is highly anticipated, but the priority is ensuring he is at 100% for the most demanding challenges ahead.