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Real Madrid face Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Thursday night, after losing in the Supercopa de España final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side enjoyed a productive start to the new year, but others emphatic defeat Barcelona at the hands of Clasico rivals has opened the door to another inquiry in the Spanish capital.
A rarely flummoxed Italian manager a The result is a little trickyAnd he could do with a bounce-back victory in midweek before Los Blancos play catch-up against Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
Madrid haven’t had to get out of first gear in the round of 32 of this competition since they hammered Minoz Deportivo Minera 5-0 ten days ago.
Celta were forced to beat a surging Real Santander side 3-2 to set up Thursday’s tie. The visitors have evolved into a more interesting tactical unit following Rafa Benitez’s sacking, and are on course for a comfortable mid-table finish. League Under promising coach Claudio Giraldez.
They are three-time Copa del Rey finalists but have never won the competition.
Here it is 90 minutes A guide to Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash.
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
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Real Madrid |
Celta Vigo |
|---|---|
|
Real Madrid 3-0 Mallorca – 09/01/25 |
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Celta Vigo – 01/10/25 |
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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 – 12/21/24 |
|
Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid – 03/01/25 |
Sevilla 1-0 Celta Vigo – 12/14/24 |
|
Real Madrid 4-2 Sevilla – 22/12/24 |
Celta Vigo 2-0 Mallorca – 06/12/24 |
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the country |
TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
No television |
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United States |
ESPN+, ESPN app |
|
Canada |
No television |
Ancelotti paid to leave his midfield pivot on an island Spanish Super Cup FinalMadrid’s front four failed to fire with the exception of Kylian Mbappé.
The boss will make the changes on Thursday night ahead of the weekend’s La Liga tussle with Las Palmas. Mbappe could retain his place up top, but he will likely be joined in attack by Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz. Vinny Jnr is available but suspended in La Liga, so makes sense to start here.
Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos are in contention to start in the middle of the park, with Eduardo Camavinga nursing an illness and Federico Valverde needing a rest.
The hosts are still without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs Celta Vigo (4-2-3-1): Moon; Vazquez, Asensio, Rudiger, Garcia; Ceballos, Modric; Guler, Diaz, Vinicius Jr.; Mbappe.
Celta have an outside shot at claiming European football this season, but they have no reason not to prioritize this fixture at the Bernabeu. Highly-regarded head coach Claudio Gonzalez must select the strongest possible squad in the Spanish capital.
The visitors are unable to call on veteran skipper Iago Aspas, who is currently sidelined with a muscle injury. Marcos Alonso, once BarcelonaMissed out with an ankle injury and will not play at the weekend after being sent off 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 Lineup vs Real Madrid (3-4-3): Villar; Rodriguez, Dominguez, Starfelt; Mingueza, Beltran, Moriba, Servi; Duran, Bamba, Iglesias.
Madrid was awful in the Supercopa final, with Ancelotti’s tactical errors starting to become a concern. The rotation should refresh the squad, but they will face an adventurous Celta Vigo side capable of causing an upset.
The visitors to Giraldez are a fearless bunch, and will take Thursday’s cup tie to their underdog hosts. However, his willingness to play should open the door to pounces for Vinnie Jnr and Mbappe.
It could be an upset evening for Madrid, but we’ll back Ancelotti’s men to bounce back.
