Real Madrid hopeful over new major triple injury boost for Arsenal showdown
The current holders and record 15-time winners take on Mikel Arteta's side in a heavyweight two-legged quarter-final tie next month, with the opening fixture at the Emirates Stadium coming on April 8 ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu eight days later.
But Madrid have three matches to play before then as the schedule ramps up considerably for the season run-in following the recent international break, hosting relegation-battling Leganes in LaLiga on Saturday night before the visit of Real Sociedad for the second leg of a Copa del Rey semi-final contest that Los Blancos lead 1-0 on aggregate following Endrick's winner in San Sebastian last month.
They also have a visit from Valencia three days before travelling to Arsenal, with Ancelotti facing a difficult balancing act in terms of rotation given they now sit three points behind in-form rivals Barcelona in a fierce three-way LaLiga title battle that also includes Atletico Madrid, whom they beat on penalties in the Champions League last 16.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Leganes, Ancelotti explained that first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is currently sidelined with a minor injury picked up during his return to Belgium action last week.
However, he is expected back soon with Madrid also hoping that left-back Ferland Mendy and ex-Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos may also return from injury in time to face the Gunners.
'Courtois has a slight issue, we'll have him back in a few days,' Ancelotti said. 'We're trying to get Ceballos and Mendy back in time for the first leg against Arsenal.'
Asked if he could potentially rest Vinicius Jr against Leganes after he returned from international duty with Brazil, the Italian added: 'We'll see. He's back and he trained well, he's in pretty good condition.
'We have lots of games and I have the option to rotate, although most players are feeling pretty good. You'll see the lineup on Saturday.'
Other than Courtois, Mendy and Ceballos, Madrid remain without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao at present as well as fellow defender Jesus Vallejo.
Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for the first leg against Arsenal, but Madrid are confident that Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and Ceballos will all be available despite Uefa this week opening an investigation into the quartet's conduct following the dramatic penalty shootout win over Atletico in which Julian Alvarez's successful spot-kick was ruled out after VAR ruled that he had accidentally touched the ball twice.
'We trust UEFA, let them investigate it,' Ancelotti said. 'We believe everything was in order, the players celebrated. We'll wait to see what they have to say, we trust everything will work out fine.'
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