We, Real Madrid fans are anxious and fearful of what will be the outcome of the Copa Del Rey quarter final encounter between Real Madrid and in-form Athletic Bilbao come next week Thursday.

Real Madrid are preparing to head into the encounter without most of their best players in Casemiro, Militao, Vinicius, Rodrygo who all travelled with Brazil for international duties; and then you have Benzema and Asensio who are both facing fitness issues.

It calls for tough decisions by Ancelotti of which he would have no other option but to rely on his second eleven available players to give their best and hope it is enough.

Meanwhile, there is positive news coming from the Brazilian camp that Militao has been released and cleared to return to Spain after receiving a yellow card in the last match against Ecuador which makes him ineligible to play the next match. Rodrygo, Vinicius and Casemiro however remains with the Brazil squad but they are tipped to return with a private flight late Wednesday; plus there have been reports Ancelotti has called Brazil's coach and pled his players be rested against Paraguay their next encounter because he has already qualified.

It remains to be seen if Casemiro, Vinicius and Rodrygo will play a part in the Copa Del Rey encounter because they will undoubtedly be troubled with the journey issues and others. However, I hope it all turns out for the better on the D-day.