Dani Carvajal Ready for El Clasico as Real Madrid Eye Spanish Super Cup Glory

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has given the green light for Dani Carvajal to play in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona on Sunday.

The right-back had missed training on Friday with a minor calf issue, sparking doubts over his fitness for the big game.

But Ancelotti has assured that the Spain star is in good shape and will feature in El Clasico, after impressing in the semi-final win over Atletico Madrid, where he scored one goal and set up two more in a 5-3 thriller for Los Blancos.

“He’s fine, he’s needed more rest because he’s a veteran and needs more time but he’s going to play,” the Real Madrid manager said in his pre-match press conference.

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Ancelotti also revealed that his team are “calm” and “motivated” ahead of El Clasico, as they aim to lift their first silverware of the season.

“We’re fine, we’re calm. The team is motivated, we are close to the first title of the season,” he said.

“It’s an illusion to prepare for these matches, matches that everyone watches. It will be a spectacle. You worry about a lot of things and it’s hard because even though there’s excitement, you worry about doing well.

“It’s a competition that ends tomorrow, an important title but then there are other things. Tomorrow it could even out. It will be the small details that decide the final.”

Ancelotti also dismissed the idea of revenge being a factor for Real Madrid, who lost 3-1 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final last year.

“No, we go out at our best because of the demands of this shirt, there is no desire for revenge. We respect Barca, they’re strong and they’ve beaten us but we’re hungry in every game,” the Italian said.

Ancelotti also commented on the goalkeeping situation at the club, where Kepa Arrizabalaga and Andriy Lunin are competing for the spot.

“I’m going to do something, I see how worried you are. Kepa arrived and was a starter, then he had an injury and Lunin deserved to play. It’s not to Kepa’s detriment,” he said.

“Now I feel I can’t choose a starter and a substitute. The important thing is that they both understand it, and they have understood it.”

Kepa started the semi-final against Atletico, but Lunin was chosen for Real Madrid’s last La Liga game against Mallorca on January 3.