After a lengthy 13-month absence due to a severe knee injury, Real Madrid defender David Alaba is poised to make his much-anticipated return in Sunday's LaLiga clash against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Saturday that the Austrian international, who has been sidelined since December 2023 following an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture in his left knee, is ready to contribute to the team once again. Alaba's recovery journey included additional knee surgery in May 2024, marking a challenging period for the veteran defender.
"[Alaba] is fine. He played 40 minutes yesterday, with a good feeling," Ancelotti told reporters. "Obviously he needs a bit of rhythm; the knee responds well." While the 32-year-old won't be in the starting lineup for Sunday's match, Ancelotti indicated he could see some playing time off the bench.
The timing of Alaba's return could prove crucial for Real Madrid, whose defensive line has been significantly impacted by the absences of Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal, both sidelined with ACL injuries. Since joining from Bayern Munich in July 2021, Alaba has been a key figure for Los Blancos, contributing five goals and nine assists across 102 appearances.
Real Madrid will be looking to improve upon their previous encounter with Las Palmas, which ended in a 1-1 draw in August. However, they'll have to do so without star forward Vinícius Júnior, who is suspended following a red card received in Madrid's recent 2-1 victory over Valencia.
