After a crushing defeat in the final of the Spanish Super Cup, Real Madrid face Celta de Vigo in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey this Thursday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side had enjoyed a productive start to the new year, but another one resounding defeat at the hands of Clà sic rivals Barcelona has opened the door to another interrogation in the Spanish capital.
The Italian coach, rarely flustered, has been one a bit irritable afterwardsand could do so with a midweek comeback win before the Whites play Atletico Madrid in La Liga on the day.
Madrid did not have to leave the first gear in the round of 16 of this competition, as ten days ago they defeated Deportivo Minera by 5-0.
Celta were forced to overcome a surging Real Santander 3-2 to set up Thursday’s tie. The visitors have become a far more intriguing tactical unit following the dismissal of Rafa BenÃtez, and are on course for a comfortable mid-table finish in The League with the promising coach Claudio Giraldez.
They are three-time Copa del Rey finalists but have never won the competition.
here it is 90 minutes guide to Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash.
Head-to-head record between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Real Madrid |
Celta Vigo |
|---|---|
|
Real Madrid 3-0 Mallorca – 25/01/09 |
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Celta Vigo – 10/01/25 |
|
Real Madrid 3-0 Mallorca – 25/01/09 |
Racing Santander 2-3 Celta Vigo – 05/01/25 |
|
Esportiu Minera 0-5 Real Madrdo – 06/01/25 |
Celta Vigo 2-0 Real Sociedad – 21/12/24 |
|
Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid – 03/01/25 |
Sevilla 1-0 Celta Vigo – 14/12/24 |
|
Real Madrid 4-2 Sevilla – 22/12/24 |
Celta Vigo 2-0 Mallorca – 06/12/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Not televised |
|
united states |
ESPN+, ESPN app |
|
canada |
Not televised |
Ancelotti has paid to leave his midfield pivot on an island in the Spanish Super Cup finalwith all four of Madrid’s forwards failing to fire with the exception of Kylian Mbappe.
The manager will make changes on Thursday night ahead of this weekend’s La Liga clash with Las Palmas. Mbappé could keep his place up top, but will likely join Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz in attack. Vini Jr is available but suspended from La Liga, so a start makes sense here.
Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos are competing for the start in the middle of the park, with Eduardo Camavinga ill and Federico Valverde in need of rest.
The hosts are still without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Real Madrid predicted line-up against Celta Vigo (4-2-3-1): Moon; Vázquez, Asensio, Rudiger, Garcia; Ceballos, Modric; Guler, Diaz, Vinicius Jr; Mbappé
Celta have an outside chance of claiming European football this season, but they have no reason not to prioritize this match at the Bernabéu. Well-known coach Claudio Gonzalez should opt for as strong a team as possible in the Spanish capital.
The visitors cannot call on veteran skipper Iago Aspas, who is currently sidelined with a muscle injury. Marcos Alonso, once of Barcelonamissed out with an ankle injury and will not be able to play at the weekend following his dismissal in La Liga last weekend.
Alfon Gonzalez is out for a few weeks, but Mihailo Ristic and Javier RodrÃguez are both available.
Celta de Vigo predicted line-up against Real Madrid (3-4-3): Village; Rodriguez, Dominguez, Starfelt; Mingueza, Beltran, Moriba, Cervi; Duran, Bamba, Iglesias.
Madrid were horrendous in the Supercopa final, with Ancelotti’s tactical errors starting to worry. The rotation should freshen up the team, but they will face an enterprising Celta de Vigo side capable of causing an upset.
Giraldez’s visitors are a fearless bunch, and will take Thursday’s cup tie away from their vulnerable hosts. However, his willingness to play should open the door for Vini Jr and Mbappé to sign up.
It could be an awkward evening for Madrid, but we’ll be rooting for Ancelotti’s men to bounce back.
