Coentrao makes Madrid return in Copa del Rey tie
Madrid - Real Madrid's forgotten man Fabio Coentrao is set to make his return following seven months out injured after being named in the squad for Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash with third-tier Cultural Leonesa.
"Coentrao will be in the squad. It is important that he features because he has recovered and is doing very well," said coach Zinedine Zidane at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the last 32, first leg in Leon, northern Spain.
Portuguese international Coentrao, 28, was loaned to Monaco last season but suffered a hamstring injury in April that cut short his stint in the principality and forced him to undergo surgery.
Zidane will rotate his squad for the game against a side still unbeaten in the third tier this season and Kiko Casilla will start in goal instead of first-choice goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Real, which has won the Copa del Rey 19 times, was thrown out of last season's competition after fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev in a tie with Cadiz.
HEADLINES
- Mbappe equals 'idol' Ronaldo with 59th goal of year for Real Madrid
- Flick calls FIFA Best XI 'a joke' after Raphinha omission
- Alonso dreams of white Christmas in Real Madrid's final match of 2025
- Palace slip into playoffs as Strasbourg finish top of Conference League
- Messi vs. Yamal: Argentina, Spain to contest Finalissima in March