After a punishing defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final, Real Madrid will face Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 on Thursday night.
Carlo Ancelotti's side had enjoyed a productive start to the new year, but another pronounced defeat at the hands of El Clasico rivals Barcelona has opened the door for another interrogation in the Spanish capital.
The rare turbulent Italian manager has been one a little sharp in the consequencesand he could do with a comeback triumph in midweek before Los Blancos play Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
Madrid didn't have to leave first gear in the round of 32 of this competition after beating minnows Deportivo Minera 5-0 ten days ago.
Celta were forced to overcome a surging Real Santander side 3-2 to set up Thursday's tie. The visitors have evolved into a much more intriguing tactical unit following the sacking of Rafa Benitez and they are on course for a comfortable mid-table finish. League under the direction of 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 match.
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Real Madrid |
Celta Vigo |
|---|---|
|
Real Madrid 3-0 Mallorca – 09/01/25 |
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Celta Vigo – 01/10/25 |
|
Real Madrid 3-0 Mallorca – 09/01/25 |
Racing Santander 2-3 Celta Vigo – 01/05/25 |
|
Deportivo Minera 0-5 Real Madrid – 01/06/25 |
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 streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Not televised |
|
United States |
ESPN+, the ESPN app |
|
Canada |
Not televised |
Ancelotti paid for the departure of his pivot in midfield to an island in The final of the Spanish Super Cupwith Madrid's front four failing to fire with the exception of Kylian Mbappe.
The manager will make changes on Thursday night ahead of the weekend's La Liga clash with Las Palmas. Mbappe could retain his place up top, but he is likely to be joined by Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz in attack. Vini Jr is available but suspended in La Liga, so a start makes sense here.
Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos are in contention for starts in the middle of the park, with Eduardo Camavinga suffering from illness and Federico Valverde in need of rest.
The hosts are still without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Real Madrid predicted formation against Celta Vigo (4-2-3-1): Moon; Vazquez, Asensio, Rudiger, Garcia; Ceballos, Modric; Guler, Diaz, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe.
Celta have an outside chance of winning European football this season, but they have no reason not to prioritize this game at the Bernabeu. Highly regarded coach Claudio Gonzalez must select as strong a team as possible in the Spanish capital.
The visitors are unable to call on veteran captain Iago Aspas, who is currently sidelined with a muscle injury. Marcos Alonso, once Barcelonais out with an ankle injury and he 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 Rodriguez are both available.
Celta Vigo predicted formation against Real Madrid (3-4-3): Villar; Rodriguez, Dominguez, Starfelt; Mingueza, Beltran, Moriba, Cervi; Duran, Bamba, Iglesias.
Madrid were terrible in the Super Cup final, with Ancelotti's tactical errors starting to become a concern. The rotation should freshen up the squad, but they will face an enterprising Celta Vigo side capable of causing an upset.
Giraldez's visitors are a fearless bunch, and they will take on Thursday's cup tie with their defenseless hosts. However, their willingness to play should open the door for Vini Jr and Mbappe to attack.
This could be an uncomfortable evening for Madrid, but we'll be backing Ancelotti's men to bounce back.