:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24599243/451599915.0.jpg)
Real Madrid will play in Olímpic Xàtiva's AstroTurf this Saturday (22:00 CET) to kick-off the 2013-2014 Copa del Rey. Former Real Madrid manager José Mourinho used to play these first matches with some Castilla players like José Rodríguez or Jorge Casado, but Carlo Ancelotti decided not to use this strategy and called up not a single player from Real Madrid's second team.
Ancelotti has a long roster at his disposal, so Morata, Jesé, Casemiro, Illarramendi, Nacho and Carvajal will likely get a chance to start this game. They have not been playing a lot since the season started, therefore the Italian coach should be willing to reward them for their commitment to the team.
Real Madrid's coach spoke in press conference and said the following:
Álvaro Morata will not leave the team this season. If he's not happy with his role then we could decide with him whether we would send him on loan next summer. But not this season. Alonso will not travel to Xàtiva. The AstroTurf will not work well with the injury he recovered from, and that's why we decided to keep him out of the match. Cristiano is fine. He will play next Tuesday against Copenhaguen. Xabi Alonso has to make a decision about his future. He's speaking with the club and he's still considering his options. He's a very important player for us but this is not our main concern as we have games to play. But he will make up his mind soon. Varane will start training with the team next Wednesday. He's been working separately. We want to have him ready for the first matches in January.
