Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make at least four changes to the starting line up when his team faces Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg on Wednesday.

Asked about the tie specifically at the start of a prematch press conference where he also took a pop at La Liga president Javier Tebas, Ancelotti noted that “it has always been difficult to play against Real Sociedad”.

“They are in a good moment. It’s a semifinal and it’s important for us and for them. It is going to be a very competitive, even and entertaining match. They play very well and we want to continue with our dynamic,” he added.

Ancelotti said that “taking into account the absurd calendar” his men have had, they are “doing very well”.

“All the teams that fight and fight are doing very well. In 50 days, 17 games. It’s incredible. I’m getting tired and you’re getting tired, from what I hear and see. We need rest,” Ancelotti protested.

Madrid has of course won two trophies already this season and has the chance to get closer to a third in the Copa del Rey by beating La Real and meeting one of its league title race rivals in either Atletico Madrid or FC Barcelona in the final.

Los Blancos are hosted by La Real in the first of two last four legs, where Andriy Lunin is the first major change coming in for Thibaut Courtois between the sticks.

Fran Garcia also returns to the fold replacing Ferland Mendy at left back, as Toni Rudiger and Raul Asencio are the central defensive pairing.

Ancelotti teased that Fede Valverde “could return to right back”. “We’ll have to see what kind of line up I make. I’m not going to think about it, I’ve already thought about it, but I’m not going to say it,” he said.

That aside, Ancelotti is expected to field Lucas Vazquez while Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni form a double pivot.

With Jude Bellingham only suspended in the league, and not the Copa del Rey, he moves Brahim Diaz up the pitch to play as a more advanced midfielder himself.

The Englishman has Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. to his right and left, while a usual lone number 9 Kylian Mbappe, who missed training, has been cut and will therefore be replaced by Brahim.

Lunin; Fran Garcia, Rudiger, Asencio, Vazquez; Tchouameni, Ceballos; Vinicius Jr., Bellingham, Rodrygo; Brahim