Real Madrid’s campaign has taken a dramatic turn as Kylian Mbappe has been officially ruled out of the upcoming Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Leganes due to a bruised calf. Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed this setback while also addressing the growing concerns over Spanish refereeing, further intensifying the tension surrounding Madrid’s season.
The injury scare comes after Mbappe was subjected to a harsh challenge by Espanyol’s Carlos Romero during Madrid’s shocking 1-0 defeat in La Liga last Saturday. Romero, who was not sent off for the tackle, went on to score the decisive goal, leading Real Madrid to lodge an official complaint with the Spanish Football Federation. In a strongly worded letter, the club described Spanish officiating as “rigged” and “completely discredited,” echoing concerns that have been brewing for months over the quality of refereeing decisions in La Liga.
Carlo Ancelotti, visibly frustrated by the refereeing inconsistencies, reinforced his stance during a pre-match press conference. Expressing his disbelief over the failure to penalize Romero’s challenge on Mbappe, he emphasized the need for greater protection for players. “We’re talking about something that’s inexplicable. The priority should always be the welfare of players, and Real Madrid has simply asked for an explanation. It’s a fair demand,” Ancelotti stated.
Mbappe’s absence is a significant blow to Real Madrid’s attacking options, but the injury crisis does not end there. England international Jude Bellingham is also set to miss the Leganes fixture due to a knock, further limiting Ancelotti’s squad depth. To make matters worse, Austrian defender David Alaba, who recently returned from a year-long knee injury, has now been sidelined for at least two to three weeks with a thigh injury. The timing of Alaba’s setback is particularly troubling, as he will miss not only the upcoming Madrid derby against Atletico but is also unlikely to feature in the Champions League play-off tie against Manchester City.
Adding to Real Madrid’s defensive woes, German centre-back Antonio Rudiger remains doubtful due to a thigh injury, leaving Ancelotti with limited options at the back. With Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal already long-term absentees, the burden now falls on the young Raul Asencio and versatile midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who could be forced to step into an unfamiliar centre-back role.
Ancelotti acknowledged the severity of the situation but remained optimistic about managing the crisis. “Unfortunately, in the last two days, we’ve lost two key players. This was not something we anticipated. Alaba was ready to play tomorrow, but these things happen. It’s an emergency, but we have to manage it with the players we have. Alaba will be out for 15 to 20 days, Rudiger the same, but we have to make do,” he explained.
Real Madrid now faces a crucial test in their season as they navigate through a congested fixture list with an increasingly depleted squad. With the Madrid derby looming and a high-stakes Champions League showdown against Manchester City on the horizon, Ancelotti’s ability to adapt and find solutions will be critical in keeping Los Blancos’ title hopes alive.
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