Mbappe benched for Real Madrid in 'Clasico' final

Kylian Mbappe has not made it into Real Madrid's starting lineup and will start the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona from the bench after failing to recover from an ankle issue.

The French superstar picked up the ankle injury in the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final defeat against Arsenal earlier this month, consequently missing their wins over Athletic Bilbao and Getafe in La Liga.

Despite Mbappe's absence, Rodrygo Goes will start up front with Brazilian compatriot Vinicius Junior, as Carlo Ancelotti opts to switch to a 4-4-2 diamond formation in an attempt to finally manage to trouble the Catalans this term.

Barcelona are missing some key players of their own, as Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde are ruled out with injuries from Hansi Flick's side. Ferran Torres and Gerard Martin have been called upon to fill in for the duo's absences.

Real Madrid's starting XI (4-4-2): Courtois (GK); Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Valverde, Ceballos, Bellingham; Vinicius, Rodrygo.

Barcelona's starting XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny (GK); Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres.