Copa del Rey PREVIEW | Deportiva Minera v Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey quest begins tomorrow when they travel to the Estadio Municipal Angel Celdran to face fourth-tier side Deportiva Minera.
Minera earned promotion to the Spanish fourth division last season after a stellar campaign in the fifth tier. The Red Eagles have struggled since November last year to seal a league victory and they arrive into this match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Juventud Torremolinos in their previous outing.
Jose Perez’s side are jubilant about hosting the mighty Real Madrid in their backyard after progressing through to the next round following a 5-0 win over Tudelano.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid were on the verge of losing in their last match against Valencia but their first comeback of the new year helped them earn three points. Los Che struck in the first half through Hugo Duro’s goal and it was not until the 80th minute that Los Blancos burst into action.
Vinicius Jr.’s red card breathed new life as Luka Modric equalised in the 85th minute before Jude Bellingham redeemed himself for a missed penalty earlier by netting the decider of the contest in added time.
Real Madrid are now provisional LaLiga leaders but Atletico Madrid could surpass them as the latter have a game-in-hand. The victory helped them go five points clear of Barcelona.
Team News
Omar Pedormo is expected to start the match after scoring five goals and registering two assists this season for Minera.
As for Real Madrid, Vinicius will have to serve a suspension for his actions against Valencia.
Carlo Ancelotti is set to rotate his side heavily for the game as Andriy Lunin, Raul Asencio, Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler are in contention to start.
Predicted XIs
Deportiva Minera (4-4-2): Martinez; Mas, Monty, Vera, Heredero; Pujante, Petcoff, Britos, Pipo; Perdomo, Ferron
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Lunin; Vazquez, Asencio, Vallejo, Garcia; Ceballos, Tchouameni; Brahim, Modric, Guler; Endrick
