Real Madrid take on fourth-division side Deportiva Minera in their opening Copa del Rey match of the season, in a David and Goliath tale set in Murcia. However, Los Blancos will have to make do without two of their giants.
Los Blancos will undoubtedly look to rest some of their stars and explained that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger would not travel at all for Monday night's match.
“Those who don't travel are Courtois and Rudiger, who stay here, the rest all go. I want to give minutes to others who have played a little less,” Ancelotti explained to the press.
Although that did not mean that backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin would play the entire competition.
“I haven't thought about it. Lunin will play tomorrow because Courtois needs to rest and recover well. It has not yet been decided that Lunin will play the Copa del Rey alone.”
After their most recent win against Valencia, Ancelotti declared he would have to decide who took penalties after Jude Bellingham failed to convert at the Mestalla. Previously, the players could decide for themselves.
“I didn't like that we missed them. If we score there is no problem. I want to clarify the matter, also for us. It could be Vini, Bellingham, Mbappé, Modric, Arda Guler…'
“Penalties are a technical aspect that is very difficult to work on, because what changes within a match is the atmosphere. You cannot reproduce the atmosphere of a stadium during a training session.”
Real Madrid are likely to have Vinicius Junior available for their Copa tie, but with the Competition Committee meeting on Tuesday they will sanction Vinicius between two and four games, barring a surprise, although Ancelotti has stated they will appeal against the red card. After the draw in the Copa del Rey, Los Blancos head to Saudi Arabia, where they will meet Athletic Club on Thursday evening.
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