Real Madrid will take on Real Sociedad without one of its best players, a surprising absence for many, as Carlo Ancelotti will be without Kylian Mbappé.

Why Isn't Kylian Mbappé Playing Against Real Sociedad?

According to various reports, the French forward is still suffering from severe tooth pain and was unable to sleep throughout the night. As a precaution, the club has opted to rest him to ensure a full recovery, allowing him to continue contributing to Los Blancos' strong season.

Other Absences for Real Madrid

Federico Valverde and Thibaut Courtois are also missing from the squad. Both are key starters in Ancelotti’s lineup and join Jesús Vallejo, who was not called up, along with long-term absentees Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal.

Bellingham Returns to Action

English midfielder Jude Bellingham is back in the squad after serving the first match of his suspension against Girona. However, he will miss Saturday’s clash against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín, as well as next Tuesday’s Champions League Round of 16 first-leg match against Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu due to yellow card accumulation.

Real Madrid vs. LaLiga: Growing Tensions

The ongoing friction between Real Madrid and LaLiga’s leadership continues to make headlines, especially regarding refereeing controversies and the Negreira case. With Ancelotti’s team fighting for LaLiga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, these off-field disputes only add fuel to an already intense season.

Real Sociedad Hosts Real Madrid in Copa del Rey Semifinal at Anoeta

Real Sociedad will host Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals at Anoeta, a match expected to be full of tension and excitement. The stadium will be a true cauldron, motivating the txuri urdin to keep the tie as open as possible for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid's offensive power, led by Carlo Ancelotti, will aim to assert their dominance.

Real Sociedad at Home: A Fortress at Anoeta

Real Sociedad heads into this match with great momentum, having turned Anoeta into a true fortress. In their last 13 home games, the team has won 11, boosting their confidence for this crucial encounter. Imanol Alguacil, their coach, will field a competitive squad despite injuries to Álvaro Odriozola, Arsen Zakharyan, and Jon Pacheco. The returns of Nayef Aguerd and Luka Sucic, who have recently recovered from injuries, are a big boost for the Basque side. In addition, Sheraldo Becker is back after serving his suspension for a red card in La Liga.

With a strong attacking force and a team of fresh players, having rested during recent matches, Imanol Alguacil will field a very competitive starting eleven to take on the mighty Real Madrid.

Ancelotti to Rotate Squad in Copa del Rey

Real Madrid, amidst a season packed with high-stakes competitions, faces this Copa del Rey semifinal while remaining in the hunt for the La Liga title and preparing for a crucial Champions League round of 16 clash against Atlético de Madrid.

With his sights set on the upcoming challenges, Carlo Ancelotti will opt for rotations in San Sebastián. Although the team has comfortably advanced past Deportiva Minera, Celta, and Leganés in this Copa del Rey, Ancelotti will keep his eye on the return leg and other priority competitions. Expect several changes to the starting lineup, with players like Antonio Rüdiger, Dani Ceballos, and Jude Bellingham returning to the first XI. The coach will also hand the starting goalkeeper spot to Andriy Lunin, who has had a reduced role this season behind Thibaut Courtois, while Lucas Vázquez and Fran García will play the right and left-back positions, respectively.