(Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Real Madrid will face CF Talavera de la Reina in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 on Wednesday.
The hosts will take on a well-known club in what is a significant event for them.
Real Madrid enters the match as the favorite and is expected to demonstrate their strength against a Talavera team that is still developing.
Founded in 2011 after a merger, the Castellano-Manchegos will depend on local support and the unpredictability of cup matches to overcome the quality gap.
Xabi Alonso’s team recently secured a 2-1 win against Alavés, which stopped a troubling trend and kept them close to La Liga leaders Barcelona.
This victory came after a tough period where Madrid had only two wins in five matches across all competitions.
Alonso is likely to make several changes for the Talavera match to rest key players and manage squad depth. The team is dealing with a significant defensive injury crisis, with Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh), Dani Carvajal (knee), Éder Militão (hamstring), and Ferland Mendy (muscle) all unavailable. David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga have their own issues and are unlikely to be risked.
On the positive side, Endrick, Fran García, and Álvaro Carreras return after serving suspensions, giving Alonso more options. This match could be a chance for younger players to shine, with 21-year-old right-back David Jiménez expected to make his senior debut, possibly alongside Dani Ceballos and Brahim Díaz.
Madrid may also choose to rest top players like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, as the coaching staff looks to safeguard them for an important upcoming league match against Sevilla.
Possible Real Madrid starting XI: Lunin; F Garcia, Asencio, Carreras, Valdepenas; Ceballos, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Mastantuono, Diaz; G Garcia.
The match will start at 8pm BST on Wednesday, December 17.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the game on Premier Sports 1, which holds exclusive rights to the Copa del Rey and will stream this match as part of their Round of 32 coverage.
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