Match Preview

Real Madrid travel to El Callao Stadium to face Segunda División B club Alcoyano as part of the 2021 Copa del Rey campaign.

This is the first time these two clubs have faced off since they met in the 2012-13 campaign in this same competition. Real won that match 3-0 at the Bernabeu.

Alcoyano was promoted to Segunda División B from the Tercera División ahead of the season. The Valencian club sits third in Group 3 Group B in the third tier of Spanish football currently.

Real has already been eliminated from one competition this season after losing to Athletic in the semi-final of the Supercopa de España. This match is the last scheduled tournament match at present until Real take on Atalanta in the return of the Champions League knockout stages at the end of February.

Los Blancos sit second in La Liga still even while drawing twice in their last five league matches. This can be a match to stay on track and continue to participate in domestic cup competition this season.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid will be without several players for this trip including Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane. Rodrygo remains out with injury. Martin Ødegaard is also not included in the squad amidst rumors of asking to be loaned out in this winter window.

Alcoyano

There are no suspensions for either club in Wednesday’s match.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Lunin; Odriozola, Nacho, Militão, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Vazquez, Vinicius, Mariano

With many starters out of the squad this could be where Zidane gives minutes to some of the younger players like Andriy Lunin and Fede Valverde. Perhaps we see Mariano or even Isco who scarcely play or get starting minutes. Rotations will be key to this match and there’s still plenty of quality to choose from.

Alcoyano

Figueras; Sanchez, Gonzalez, Ferriz, Carbonnell; Camacho, Casanova, Juli, Lopez; El Ghezouani, Jona

Prediction

Alcoyano—Real Madrid 1-3

This is absolutely a match Real Madrid should be winning over a Segunda División B side. This is just the first of two legs in the Round of 32, but Real is heavily favored for a reason even with a shortened squad.

Wednesday’s match is both a chance to give some of the players who don’t see much regular action and a chance to move closer towards the Round of 16 after a return leg.

Real Madrid is playing well enough right now to not have much doubt in securing a win on the road in Alcoi. The club should be returning to the second leg at the Bernabeu with a lead.