Real Madrid starts their 2024-25 Copa del Rey season against Deportiva Minera.

Of all the trophies in the sport, the Copa del Rey continues to pose a major challenge for Real Madrid. In the last decade, Los Blancos have only won the Copa del Rey twice. Since 2014, the Spanish giants have won the Champions League title three times as many times as they have won Spain’s oldest football competition.

However, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are eager to leave their mark on the competition this season, especially if they want to win the club’s first continental treble. As one of the four teams taking part in the Spanish Super Cup, Real Madrid received a bye until the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, where they will play their first game against fourth division club Deportiva Minera.

Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rüdiger are the only first-team players absent, but Ancelotti will continue to rely on his substitutes to get Real Madrid into the last 16.

This is what Real Madrid’s team could look like on January 6th against Deportiva Minera.

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TK: Andriy Lunin—The Ukrainian goalkeeper will start for the first time since November 9th.

RB: Lorenzo Aguado– Real Madrid’s injury problems, particularly at the right-back position, leave the door open for the Real Madrid Castilla defender to make his first-team debut.

CB: Raul Asencio—Asencio impressed in his four appearances alongside Antonio Rüdiger and is an easy decision for Ancelotti to start against Deportiva Minera.

CB: Diego Aguado—The 17-year-old could make his Real Madrid debut if Ancelotti decides to give Aurélien Tchouaméni a rest.

LB: Fran Garcia—The left back brings experience to an otherwise young defensive line.

CM: Luka Modrić—The captain will have a lot of freedom to demonstrate his creativity and playing talent.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga– The Frenchman is expected to be called up in the middle of the park after coming off the bench against Valencia.

CM: Arda Güler—After scoring his first goal of the season against Girona, Güler will be in the market to add to his tally.

RW: Brahim Diaz—Díaz should have no problem scoring against such an inferior opponent.

ST: Endrick– The teenager hasn’t played more than 15 minutes since October 2, but he will get the chance to prove himself from kick-off on Monday.

LW: Rodrygo—The Brazilian gets a rare start on his preferred left wing after playing just 68 minutes on Friday.

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