Real Madrid seek a spot in the Copa del Rey final as they host Real Sociedad for the second leg of their semifinal matchup on Tuesday, seeking to defend a 1-0 aggregate advantage at home over the final 90 minutes of action.
Los Blancos are in the midst of a critical part of the campaign, with a host of competitions now in the final stages. They are three points back of Barcelona in the La Liga title race and have been matched up with Premier League powers Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
The litany of games in the league and Europe have taken a toll over the years on their ability to perform in this domestic competition, as Madrid have won just one Copa del Rey title in the last decade, lifting the trophy in 2023.
Real Sociedad are bidding for a return to the Copa del Rey final for the first time since they won the title in 2020, their only triumph since lifting the trophy in 1987. Having been eliminated from the Europa League at the hands of Manchester United, La Real can now focus fully on domestic competition.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.
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Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Real Madrid saw goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois return from international duty with a muscle injury. It was initially hoped the problem was minor, but he had to miss the weekend win over Leganes in La Liga and is set to sit out this game, too.
Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are also struggling with hamstring injuries and will be targeting the upcoming Champions League match next week for their return. Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain out for the season with serious knee injuries.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo came off the bench to good effect on Saturday and are expected to return to the lineup. Carlo Ancelotti will have to decide whether to keep Lucas Vazquez in at right-back or to move Federico Valverde to that position.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Lunin (GK) — Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia — Valverde, Tchouameni — Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius — Mbappe.
Injured: Courtois (knee), Mendy (hamstring), Ceballos (hamstring), Carvajal (ACL), Militao (ACL).
Suspended: None.
MORE: All the latest Real Madrid news | Latest La Liga top goal scorer list | Latest Champions League top goal scorer list
West Ham loanee Nayef Aguerd sustained a hamstring injury before the international break but has been included in the squad for the visit to the Santiago Bernabeu. However, winger Sheraldo Becker and midfielder Arsen Zakharyan will not be involved.
Real Sociedad suffered a big blow in mid-February when playmaker Brais Mendez suffered a broken metatarsal in his foot, leaving him out for most of the rest of the season, if not the entire remaining campaign.
Luka Sucic missed international duty with an injury but trained with the team and is expected to be available.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup (4-1-4-1, right to left): Remiro (GK) — Traore, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Munoz — Zubimendi — Kubo, Sucic, Marin, Barrenetxea — Oyarzabal.
Injured: Aguerd (hamstring, doubt), Becker (knee), Mendez (foot).
Suspended: None.
Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Copa del Rey semifinal across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | ESPN Deportes | Fubo USA, ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | — |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Sports Player |
| Australia | — | — |
| India | Star Sports Select 2 | Disney+ Hotstar, JioTV |
