Real Madrid already considers it impossible. They will barely be able to count on him for the rest of the season, and next year others will come to take his place. Alaba is more out than in at Real Madrid.
His contract ends in June 2026. Everything indicates that he will spend the remainder of his Madridist life on the bench or in the stands. Today, just a few hours after the winter market closed, Alaba has been injured again.
It is difficult for Ancelotti to trust him. He doesn't get out of one and gets into another. But the Italian coach is clear, he counts on Jacobo Ramón to get through the Copa.
Ancelotti no longer counts on Alaba
Alaba will be out for three weeks, until March. He suffers an adductor injury in his left leg. Out of action for the Copa against Leganés, the classic against Atlético, and the Champions League against City.
Alaba is not there, and Ancelotti doesn't expect him either. Although if there was ever a time he was needed, it is now, with Rüdiger and Militão injured. Ancelotti will have to manage with Tchouaméni, Asencio, and Jacobo Ramón for the two central defense positions.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti has drafted eight youth players for the Copa match against Leganés: Asencio, Jacobo, Fran González, Mestre, Lorenzo, Mario Rivas, Chema, and Gonzalo.
Ancelotti's list for the Copa del Rey: 8 youth players
Goalkeepers: Lunin, Fran González, and Sergio Mestre.
Defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Vallejo, Fran García, Mendy, Jacobo, Asencio, Lorenzo, and Mario Rivas.
Midfielders: Valverde, Modric, Tchouaméni, Güler, Ceballos, and Chema.
Forwards: Vinícius, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim, and Gonzalo.
The presence of Gonzalo, the young Castilla forward who is doing wonders in Raúl's reserve team, stands out.
Gonzalo to wake up Endrick
At this point, he has already scored 19 goals in the regular season. Diario As recalls that Gonzalo started with 1 goal in his first 8 matches. Then 11 in the next 6 and 18 in the last 13.
1.4 goals per game and 3 assists support a trajectory that hasn't gone unnoticed by Ancelotti. Today he could have his opportunity against Leganés if the match is decided in the final minutes.
It would be a way to bring Endrick out of his lethargy, showing him that hard work eventually pays off.
Ancelotti is going to take advantage of Gonzalo's presence among Real Madrid's call-ups to wake up Endrick. He believes that he needs to be reminded that signing for Real Madrid doesn't mean everything is done. It's just the beginning of a long journey that is written by working, working, and working.
Gonzalo García ► Best Skills & Goals
"Wake up or you're out". Ancelotti has told Endrick this several times. The Italian coach doesn't doubt his quality, but he does doubt his desire to work for the team in sometimes obscure missions.
Ancelotti will take advantage of Gonzalo's presence to stimulate Endrick by showing him that the world doesn't end with him.