Real Madrid will face La Deportiva Minera this Monday in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, but their latest training session raised concerns as four key players were absent.
During Sunday’s session, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and Jesús Vallejo were all missing. Carvajal and Militão are sidelined due to injuries, while the absence of Rüdiger and Vallejo came as a surprise.
Rüdiger, in particular, had no issues in the recent match against Valencia, so it’s likely that Ancelotti is giving him a rest. The German defender has played nearly every game this season, and a break could be beneficial.
Vallejo, who has featured less often this season, may also be rested for future matches. These absences indicate that Ancelotti is relying on other players to step up for the match against La Deportiva Minera.
With these key players unavailable, Ancelotti will likely turn to substitutes and youth academy players. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Raul Asencio could be moved into defensive roles to face a team from a much lower division.
La Deportiva Minera play in Spain’s Second Federation, well below Real Madrid’s level. Nevertheless, Ancelotti has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and intensity, as Copa del Rey matches can be unpredictable.
La Deportiva Minera fans are hoping for a repeat of Alcorcón’s historic 2009 victory over Real Madrid. To avoid any shocks, Madrid must approach the game with full respect for their opponents and a commitment to giving 100%.
Real Madrid is eager for more titles after winning the European Super Cup and Club World Cup, and they are now targeting both the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.
While these trophies may not carry the same prestige as La Liga or the Champions League, they remain vital for the club’s ambitions.
