Key Real Madrid star absent from group training; could be rested vs Real Sociedad | OneFootball

Following their 2-0 win over Girona in La Liga, Real Madrid started preparations today for their upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad.

The Merengues take on Imanol Alguacil’s team away at the Reale Arena on Wednesday night in the first leg of the semi-finals before hosting them in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in April.

Federico Valverde to be rested again?

Ahead of Wednesday’s huge contest, AS reports that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is considering resting key star Federico Valverde once again.

This comes after the Uruguayan international did not train with the rest of the group today and instead did indoor work, focusing on recovery and physiotherapy.

Another rest for Valverde? (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

It must be noted that Valverde was rested for the entire game against Girona this past weekend, for the first time since May 2024, after he had played against Manchester City through discomfort and taking pain-killer injections.

There was a moment when Ancelotti was set to introduce the key midfielder into the game against Girona but Vinicius Jr.’s goal changed the scenario and the manager opted against throwing in the Uruguayan.

The Real Madrid manager will make a final decision on Valverde’s involvement on Tuesday, during the team’s final training session before they travel to San Sebastian to take on La Real in the cup semi-final.

Valverde has once again been one of Real Madrid’s best and most consistent players this season, delivering the goods on a constant basis, be it as a midfielder or an emergency right-back in the absence of Lucas Vazquez.

Up until Sunday evening, the 26-year-old had featured in all of Real Madrid’s matches this season, even contributing with eight goals and six assists.