Kylian Mbappé has had a season in which his performance has been well below expectations, and the Real Madrid fans have already shown their discontent at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Copa del Rey final is a new opportunity for him, but his performance will be scrutinized. However, the Frenchman will be a doubt until the last minute. He was at the top of the list heading to Seville, but his ankle is not 100%. He will be tested before the game.
The Frenchman injured his ankle in the Champions League second leg against Arsenal, but seemed fully recovered after not playing against Athletic and Getafe. However, Mbappé is not 100% recovered from his injury. In the penultimate training session (on Thursday), his ankle was still hurting, causing him slight discomfort. It was decided not to push him.
With all the controversy surrounding refereeing in recent hours, which led to Real Madrid’s boycott of Friday’s events, the team was unable to train at La Cartuja and finish testing the French player, who will be doubtful until the last minute for the 4-4-2 formation that Carlo Ancelotti intends to field to stop Barça and win the title.
If Mbappé is not in the line-up, Ancelotti will play Bellingham behind Vinicius and Rodrygo, which would mean that Real Madrid would play with four players in midfield. Ancelotti would return to the diamond formation that worked so well for him last season.
On the other hand, if he is finally able to play, it will be another test of fire. A huge one for the Frenchman, who has been singled out for his lackluster performances against Atlético Madrid and Arsenal in the Champions League and in the two previous games against Barcelona.
However, there is one thing in the Frenchman’s favor in finals wearing white. In the three finals he has played so far with Madrid, he has scored in all three, helping the club to win the European Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. It was of little use against Barça in the Spanish Super Cup, though.