Carlo Ancelotti says key trio could be fit for Club World Cup final
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema and Eder Militao could be available for Saturday’s Club World Cup final.
Los Blancos will take on Al Ahly in the semi-finals of the competition on Wednesday evening, and a victory would see them progress to this weekend’s final against either Flamengo or Al Hilal.
Courtois, Benzema and Militao were not named in the initial Real Madrid squad for the competition due to injuries, but Ancelotti has said that the trio could take part in the final if the Spanish champions make it.
Benzema and Militao have both been nursing issues that they picked up against Valencia last week, while Courtois suffered a groin problem ahead of Sunday’s clash with Mallorca.
“We’ll see, we preferred to leave them in Madrid to follow the best treatment. We’ll see if they’re ready for Saturday’s game,” Ancelotti told reporters during Tuesday’s press conference.
“A club with such a history obviously has fans close to the team. It’s going to be an entertaining game. I think we have a lot of Madrid fans and that everyone will enjoy a competitive game with two teams who are looking forward to playing in the final.
“In Morocco, they have shown us all their affection. The facilities are fine, the weather is good. We are delighted to be here. We’ll be here for a week and it would be great if we can go back to Madrid with the title.”
Real Madrid are the most successful side in the history of the Club World Cup, having won the competition in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, which puts them one ahead of Barcelona in terms of trophies.
Los Blancos will enter their semi-final off the back of a 1-0 loss to Mallorca in La Liga, and they are currently eight points behind division leaders Barcelona in the table.
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