LEGANÉS-REAL MADRID

Zidane leaves Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema out of Leganés squad

The Real Madrid boss will start with Borja Mayoral up front in Butarque with Marco Asensio and Lucas Vázquez in support for the Copa first-leg game.

Rodrigo JimenezEFE

Zinedine Zidane will again entrust his back-up players with progress in the Copa del Rey when his side travel across the Spanish capital to play Leganés on Thursday.

The Real Madrid boss has elected to leave Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale out of his squad, despite the latter’s crucial intervention in the last 32.

Lucas Vázquez is included after his brace helped Madrid past a spirited Numancia in the previous round and he is likely to be accompanied on the other flank by Marco Asensio.

Marcelo has also been handed the evening off with the Brazilian coming under increasing scrutiny for his poor form in recent losses against Barcelona and Villarreal in the league with Theo Hernández coming into the side.

In the absence of his first-choice front line Borja Mayoral will be tasked with leading the line. The canterano has been profiting from his run in the Copa side with three goals in four appearances so far.

Possible Real Madrid XI for Leganés

Kiko Casilla; Achraf, Vallejo, Nacho, Hernández; Marcos Llorente or Casemiro, Ceballos, Kovacic; Asensio, Vázquez, Mayoral.

Full Real Madrid squad:

Keepers: Navas, Casilla, Moha.

Defenders: Carvajal, Vallejo, Varane, Nacho, Hernández, Achraf.

Midfielders: Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Llorente, Asensio, Isco, Kovacic, Ceballos.

Forwards: Vázquez, Mayoral.

Most viewed

More news