Home
Real Madrid may have secured their place in the Spanish Super Cup final, but concerns over player fitness have shifted the narrative ahead of their high-profile clash against Barcelona in Jeddah.
With Barcelona arriving on the back of a 10-game domestic winning streak, Los Blancos now face additional uncertainty due to injuries picked up during their hard-fought semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.
As the final draws closer, Real Madrid’s defensive situation, in particular, has become a major talking point.
Defensive concerns emerge after Atletico semi-final
Madrid derby raised alarms in the 69th minute when head coach Xabi Alonso opted to withdraw both central defenders.
Raul Asencio was taken off due to minor discomfort, though early indications suggest he should be available for the final against Barcelona.
The bigger concern surrounds Antonio Rudiger. The German defender was visibly struggling before being substituted, having battled through knee discomfort for much of the match.
Reports following the game indicate that Real Madrid officials do not expect Rudiger to recover in time for the final, especially with only a three-day turnaround before the decisive encounter in Saudi Arabia.
Given the risks involved, it appears unlikely that the club will push Rudiger into action for such a high-stakes fixture.
Likely center-back options for the final
With Rudiger doubtful, Madrid are preparing alternative plans in defense. Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio are currently the leading candidates to start as the central defensive pairing. While Huijsen did not feature against Atletico, the expectation is that he will be fit and available for selection.
Asencio, despite his minor issue, is also expected to recover in time. David Alaba remains another option, but his inclusion from the start would come as a surprise given his limited number of appearances over the past year.
The defensive reshuffle could play a critical role against a Barcelona side in prolific form, adding another layer of intrigue to the final.
Kylian Mbappe offers attacking hope
It is not all negative news for Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappe remains in contention to feature against Barcelona despite managing a knee issue in recent weeks.
The French forward is set to travel to Saudi Arabia within the next 24 hours, where he will undergo further assessment by the club’s medical staff.
A final decision on Mbappe’s availability will be made closer to matchday, but his potential return would be a significant boost for Madrid’s attacking prospects.
Full list of questionable players vs Barcelona
Antonio Rudiger – Unlikely to play due to knee discomfort
Raul Asencio – Minor discomfort, expected to be available
Dean Huijsen – Expected to be fit
David Alaba – Available, but starting role uncertain
Kylian Mbappe – Under assessment for knee issue
With fitness concerns mounting and Barcelona in strong form, Real Madrid’s injury situation could prove decisive as they prepare for the Spanish Super Cup final.
ADVERTISEMENT
