Real Madrid without three key players for Copa del Rey semi-final | OneFootball

Real Madrid will have three notable absentees for their Copa del Rey semi-final clash against Real Sociedad on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde and Thibaut Courtois failing to travel to San Sebastian.

The current La Liga and Champions League holders are looking to win the Copa del Rey for the 21st time in their history but needed a dramatic stoppage-time goal to beat Leganes in the quarter-final.

Madrid won the corresponding league fixture against Real Sociedad in September, courtesy of two penalties from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, but haven't been in the greatest domestic form of late.

Carlo Ancelotti's side won just one of their four La Liga fixtures in February, dropping points against Espanyol, neighbourhood rivals Atletico and Osasuna, and the Italian will not be able to call on three of his most important players in the Basque Country.

Mbappe was revealed to be suffering from a tooth problem on Tuesday, though Ancelotti expected that the Frenchman would be part of Madrid's travelling party. But that has turned out not to be the case following the confirmation of their matchday squad.

Valverde is also missing after playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks, while Courtois, who has stated that he's ready to start playing for Belgium's national team again, has been omitted for unspecified reasons.

Andriy Lunin is expected to start in goal for a game that Ancelotti expects to be challenging for his side.

"It's always difficult to play against them," he told his pre-match press conference. "They're also in good form. It's a semi-final of the Copa del Rey and it's important for both sides. It's going to be a very competitive, even and entertaining match because Real plays good football. We want to continue with our dynamic."

The other semi-final is being contested by Barcelona and Atletico – their semi-final first leg encounter ended in a barnstorming 4-4 draw that saw both sides throw away leads.