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In the last league match against Villarreal, Real Madrid's leftbacks both left the pitch injured. Fans will be relieved to find both of them in the squad.
Real Madrid Squad List: Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López and Jesús. Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Varane, Arbeloa, Carvajal, Coentrão, Marcelo and Nacho. Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Illarra, Isco, Bale, Casemiro, Modric and Di María. Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Morata and Jesé.
The last match, which Madrid won convincingly giving them a three goal advantage going into the second leg, was a typical derby. Emotional, ugly to watch, the event marred by controversial incidents. Real Madrid were dominant but, as often seems the case in a derby, Atlético Madrid could still be said to have been unlucky; two of three goals conceded were own-goals, one of them a howler from the otherwise brilliant Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, seems well aware of this. The team would normally have a routine second-leg, but in a derby one never knows what to expect. This explains the call-ups and his cautious optimism in this morning's press conference.
Of particular note: the coach's concern over his defenders picking up cards before a final. Sergio Ramos managed to avoid getting a card in the first leg. That's good, because he's one of the players at risk. The other is Pepe. To what extent he will be willing to risk rotation in a difficult stadium is difficult to predict.
The match kicks off at 21:00 tomorrow.
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