Real Madrid face two season-defining games against Barcelona in the coming weeks as Carlo Ancelotti seeks to save their season.
With a damaging UEFA Champions League quarterfinal exit now in the rear-view mirror, Ancelotti is focusing on the task at hand, which is catching Hansi Flick’s team in the La Liga title race and facing off with the Catalans in the Copa del Rey final on April 26.
Real Madrid need a slip up from Barcelona in league action, alongside a positive result in Catalonia, in their league meeting on May 11 – if Ancelotti is to stand any chance of ending the campaign with a trophy.
The veteran Italian has been heavily linked with a summer exit from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as pressure mounts on his position after their UCL departure.
As Xabi Alonso reportedly stand poised to replace him, Ancelotti needs a strong end to 2024/25, to avoid a complete capitulation.
Kylian Mbappe will be central to that objective, with the France captain netting 22 league goals and 33 in all competitions, as part of a stellar year campaign in Madrid.
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The former PSG striker missed the dramatic weekend win over Athletic Club through a combination of injury and a one-game suspension following his red card at Alaves on 13.
Ancelotti confirmed he would not be risked away at Getafe on April 23 but there is huge positivity he will be back to face Barcelona in the final.
“He’s not ready for Getafe. He’s hurt by the injury and by not being able to help the team. He’s doing everything to be available on Saturday,” as per Mundo Deportivo.
Mbappe missed the 4-0 home defeat to Barcelona back in October due to injury, but he scored on his El Clasico debut, as Flick secured a 5-2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup final at the start of 2025.
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