Real Madrid possible starting lineup against Talavera today in the Copa del Rey
Xabi Alonso is planning the game in the Copa del Rey with the players he has fit.
Between injuries and fatigue, it is time to pick a starting eleven. A team to debut in the Copa del Rey, built almost entirely from what is available, with several youth players involved. Rüdiger, Valverde, Ceballos and Mbappé are the latest to fall. All for minor issues, but all absent at El Prado. The result is an absolutely unprecedented lineup, with Gonzalo leading the line, two left-backs in defence, and two academy players knocking on the door. Xabi faces his penultimate battle of 2025. possible
Lunin will return in goal, once again the Cup’s guardian. At right-back comes the first dilemma. Asencio is the leading candidate, but David Jiménez is pushing hard. Depending on that decision, the centre-back pairing would be Huijsen and Carreras, who is suspended this weekend against Sevilla, with Fran García at left-back.
Tchouameni will continue as the holding midfielder, simply because there are no other first-team options. The doubts begin with his partners. Güler will definitely start, but Bellingham may be rested. If he does play, Thiago Pitarch would make his first-team debut as a starter. Camavinga, with discomfort in his left calf, Valverde, suffering from muscle fatigue, and Ceballos, sidelined by gastroenteritis, are all unavailable.
Up front, there is more news. Mastantuono will start again. He has played just two minutes in the last nine matches, against Alavés, but he is back after being given the green light following his groin injury. The left wing will belong to Rodrygo, allowing Vinicius to rest. And through the middle, Gonzalo gets the nod ahead of Endrick.
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The possible Real Madrid lineup against Talavera, then, is: Lunin; Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Fran García; Tchouameni; Mastantuono, Güler, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Gonzalo.
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