Alaba returns to Real Madrid line up against Las Palma on Sunday after 13 months out

Alaba  returns to Real Madrid line up against Las Palma on Sunday after 13 months out

Real Madrid defender David Alaba could play in Sunday's La Liga game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabéu, more than a year after sustaining a serious knee injury, manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday.

The Austria international has been sidelined since December 2023 after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture in his left knee during a league game. The 32-year-old underwent more knee surgery in May 2024.

The centre-back has scored five goals and registered nine assists in 102 appearances for Madrid since joining in July 2021 from Bayern Munich.

"[Alaba] is fine. He played 40 minutes on Friday, with a good feeling. He needs a bit of rhythm; the knee responds well," Ancelotti told reporters. "He won't start [on Sunday] but he can get some minutes."

Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Las Palmas in August. Alaba's return to the squad will be a boost, with Madrid's backline already weakened by the absences of Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal due to ACL injuries.

While Alaba was included in the squad list, talisman Vinícius Júnior was not due to suspension after receiving a red card in Madrid's 2-1 win at Valencia in their last league match.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Camavinga has joined Carvajal and  Militao on the sidelines. Fran Garcia’s availability will be assessed ahead of the game as he was forced off in the last outing.

Ancelotti will make a few changes to the starting eleven, with a few of his stars returning to the starting XI. Real Madrid will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against UD Las Palmas, with Thibaut Courtois in goal.

Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy should be the full-backs, with Raul Asencio pairing up with Antonio Rudiger in the heart of the defence. Federico Valverde will partner Aurelien Tchouameni in the centre of the park. The duo will shield the backline and provide a stable base to their frontline to do the damage.

Jude Bellingham will feature as the number 10, while Brahim Diaz should fill in for Vinicius Junior on the left flank. Finally, Rodrygo Goes will take charge on the right while Kylian Mbappe will spearhead the Real Madrid attack against UD Las Palmas.