Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that his players’ focus is more on the Copa del Rey final than Champions League match with Man City.
The European Champions are set to host Manchester City in their semi-final first leg next Tuesday.
But before they meet City, the Spanish giants have a chance to lift a trophy when they take on Osasuna in Seville.
Ancelotti, 63, said in an interview: “We will go out there without thinking about what’s happening the next day.”
“We will go out with all the energy in the world to win another title. The players are motivated.”
The Copa del Rey trophy is crucial for Real Madrid after losing out on La Liga as they are currently trailing Barcelona by 11 points.
Carlo Ancelotti last won the Copa de Rey with Real Madrid in 2014 and is out of contract at the end of the season but confirms he is taking Saturday’s final as though it could be his last.
He went on to say: “Playing a final is always exciting, I always think before a final that, personally, it could be my last.”
“I thought that in 2003, and it wasn’t the last, and I think that today, it could be the last today.”
“You have to enjoy it, and I ask the players to enjoy it too because they are special games.”
The Real Madrid boss also confirmed that Luka Modric and David Alaba are both fit and would be available for the final.
Jagoba Arrasate, Osasuna manager, believes his team will make things difficult for Real Madrid and win their first major trophy.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team are looking to win the competition for the 20th time while Osasuna hope to make their second appearance in the final worth it.
Osasuna coach Arrasate said in a press conference that: “We have to be brave and make Madrid uncomfortable.”
“It’s been a longer wait for us than for Madrid – we’ve had to wait 18 years for a final.”
“I think that for things to happen, you have to visualize them, and I see David lifting the cup.”
Real Madrid Squad For Copa del Rey Final
Real Madrid have published their squad list for Saturday’s Copa del Rey Final against Osasuna in Sevilla, which will kick off at 22:00 CEST.
Here is Real Madrid squad that will play in the 2022/23 Copa del Rey Final:
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Luis López.
Defenders: Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Lucas V., Rüdiger and F. Mendy.
Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni and D. Ceballos.
Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vini Jr., Rodrygo and Mariano.
Carlo Ancelotti decided to add David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Luka Modric, in the squad despite being injured.
This squad is however the standard decision given that it is a final, but there’s no guarantee that these players will feature in the match.
Alaba and Mendy have already been confirmed fit from the medical team but Ancelotti may play safe and leave them on the bench.
Their presence will be more crucial as they face Manchester City in the Champions League encounter on Tuesday.
How To Watch Copa del Rey Final
Date: 05/06/2023
Time: 22:00 CEST, 04:00pm EST.
Venue: La Cartuja, Sevilla, Spain.
Available TV: TVE1, ESPN+
Available Streaming: ESPN+
