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Carlo Ancelotti says key trio could be fit for Club World Cup final

Ancelotti says key trio could be fit for Club World Cup final
© Reuters
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says that Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema and Eder Militao could be available for Saturday's Club World Cup final.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema and Eder Militao could be available for Saturday's Club World Cup final.

Los Blancos will take on Al Ahly in the semi-finals of the competition on Wednesday evening, and a victory would see them progress to this weekend's final against either Flamengo or Al Hilal.

Courtois, Benzema and Militao were not named in the initial Real Madrid squad for the competition due to injuries, but Ancelotti has said that the trio could take part in the final if the Spanish champions make it.

Benzema and Militao have both been nursing issues that they picked up against Valencia last week, while Courtois suffered a groin problem ahead of Sunday's clash with Mallorca.

"We'll see, we preferred to leave them in Madrid to follow the best treatment. We'll see if they're ready for Saturday's game," Ancelotti told reporters during Tuesday's press conference.

Thibaut Courtois in action for Real Madrid on August 10, 2022© Reuters

The Italian also opened up on the importance of the Club World Cup, with Real Madrid bidding to win the competition for a fifth time.

"The Club World Cup is a very important event. To get here means you have done well. We have a lot of fans here and we want to make them happy. Winning would mean a new impetus for what's to come," Ancelotti added before also discussing the team's semi-final opponents.

"They (Al Ahly) are a team with a great history, one of the most important in world football. They have a good organisation with skilful players and it's going to be a competitive match.

"They have the same desire as us to win. We have a lot of respect for them, especially a club with a very important history in African football.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti before the match on January 15, 2023© Reuters

"A club with such a history obviously has fans close to the team. It's going to be an entertaining game. I think we have a lot of Madrid fans and that everyone will enjoy a competitive game with two teams who are looking forward to playing in the final.

"In Morocco, they have shown us all their affection. The facilities are fine, the weather is good. We are delighted to be here. We'll be here for a week and it would be great if we can go back to Madrid with the title."

Real Madrid are the most successful side in the history of the Club World Cup, having won the competition in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, which puts them one ahead of Barcelona in terms of trophies.

Los Blancos will enter their semi-final off the back of a 1-0 loss to Mallorca in La Liga, and they are currently eight points behind division leaders Barcelona in the table.

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Real Madrid's Karim Benzema pictured on September 6, 2022
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona2118214373656
2Real Madrid20143340172345
3Real Sociedad2012352819939
4Atletico MadridAtletico21115530171338
5Real BetisBetis2110472722534
6Rayo Vallecano219662823533
7Athletic Bilbao219573122932
8Villarreal219482218431
9Osasuna218671919030
10Mallorca218491620-428
11GironaGirona216692731-424
12Sevilla216692329-624
13Real ValladolidValladolid2173111528-1324
14Celta Vigo2165102233-1123
15Almeria2164112534-922
16CadizCadiz215791733-1622
17Espanyol204972430-621
18Valencia2155112626020
19Getafe2147101828-1019
20ElcheElche2016131540-259

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