After losing in the final of the Supercopa de España, Real Madrid will play against Celta Vigo in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side enjoyed a productive start to the new year, but once again emphatic defeat at the hands of Clasico rivals Barcelona opened the door for another test in the Spanish capital.
The rarely confused Italian manager was a a bit irritable after thatand he could use a comeback triumph in midweek before Los Blancos play catch-up to Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
Madrid didn’t have to get out of first gear in the round of 16 of this competition because they defeated minnows Deportivo Minera 5-0 ten days ago.
Celta were forced to overcome a struggling Real Santander side 3-2 to set up Thursday’s tie. The visitors have evolved into a far more intriguing tactical unit following the sacking of Rafa Benitez and are on course for a comfortable mid-table finish in La Liga under the leadership of promising coach Claudi Giraldez.
They are three-time finalists of the King’s Cup, but have never won the competition.
Here 90 minutes guide to Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash.
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Real Madrid |
Celta Vigo |
|---|---|
|
Real Madrid 3-0 Mallorca – 01.09.25 |
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Celta Vigo – 01.10.25 |
|
Real Madrid 3-0 Mallorca – 01.09.25 |
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 – 01.03.25 |
Sevilla 1-0 Celta Vigo – 14.12.24 |
|
Real Madrid 4-2 Sevilla – 22.12.24 |
Celta Vigo 2-0 Mallorca – 12.06.24 |
|
Earth |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
Great Britain |
It was not televised |
|
United States |
ESPN+, the ESPN app |
|
Canada |
It was not televised |
Ancelotti paid for leaving his midfielder on the island in Supercopa de Espana finalwith the fact that the first four of Madrid failed to shoot, except for Kylian Mbappe.
The boss will make the changes on Thursday night ahead of the La Liga clash with Las Palmas at the weekend. Mbappe could retain his place up top but is likely to be joined by Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz in attack. Vini Jr is available but suspended in La Liga, so starting here makes sense.
Luka Modrić and Dani Ceballos are competing to 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 the line-up against Celta Vigo (4-2-3-1): Lunin; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Ceballos, Modric; Guler, Diaz, Vinicius Jr.; Mbappe.
Celta are the outsiders to win European football this season, but they have no reason not to favor this game at the Bernabeu. Respected head coach Claudio Gonzalez should opt for 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 Barcelonahe misses out with an ankle injury and will be out of action 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 available.
Predicted line-up of Celta Vigo 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, and Ancelotti’s tactical mistakes were becoming a concern. The rotation should freshen up the squad, but they will face an enterprising Celta Vigo side capable of turning things around.
The visitors to Giraldez are a fearless bunch and will take the cup to their vulnerable hosts on Thursday. However, their will to play should open the door for Vinio Jr. and Mbappe to attack.
It could be an embarrassing night for Madrid, but we’ll be backing Ancelotti’s men to bounce back.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Celta Vigo
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