Real Madridvs.Celta Vigo

The capital giants, fresh from their 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, will be aiming to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey when they welcome Celta to Bernabeu.

David Alaba is not yet ready to return, with the Austria international instead potentially being in the squad against Las Palmas on Sunday, while Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain long-term absentees due to serious knee injuries.

Ancelotti has also left number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois out of the squad, with it being confirmed that Andriy Lunin will feature between the sticks for the reigning Spanish and European champions.

"Yes, Lunin will play," said the Real Madrid head coach when asked about the position in goal.

Lunin will start for Real Madrid against Celta

Eduardo Camavinga is also in the squad, with the midfielder recovering from an illness which saw him miss training earlier this week.

"It's an important opportunity after a bad game, which hurt us a lot. But we are not sunk. We have to react. It's a good match against an opponent that plays well. I hope the team can have a strong reaction after the match the other day," Ancelotti told reporters.

"It is a step backwards (Sunday), but we have to move forward. There is a season left in which we are well positioned in all competitions. It was a bad game, we made a lot of mistakes. We have evaluated it and found the solution. We have to move on.

"It was a bad game... We paid the bill for all the good things we have done, it was an expensive bill, but it was a game. We are going to fight and fight until the end, as always. Everyone has their say, I still have total confidence in all my players, especially those who aren't playing their best at the moment.

"The good thing about football is that after a bad game, after a defeat like that, there is a chance to do well, which is tomorrow, and it gives you the opportunity to focus a lot on what you have to do and not on the bad things you have done."

When are Real Madrid back in La Liga action?

Real Madrid will resume their La Liga campaign at home to Las Palmas on Sunday afternoon, which will be their first fixture in Spain's top flight since beating Valencia 2-1 at Mestalla on January 3.

Los Blancos are currently second in the La Liga table, one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone's side currently on an incredible 14-game winning run in all competitions.

Real Madrid squad vs. Celta Vigo:

Lunin, Gonzalez, Mestre; Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy, Asencio, Lorenzo; Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Modric, Tchouameni, Guler, Ceballos; Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim

Written by

Matt Law