Real Madrid is set to face Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals at Estadio Municipal de Butarque, just a couple of hours from kickoff. After a disappointing defeat to Espanyol in La Liga over the weekend, the team is eager to bounce back.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced his starting lineup, featuring several less prominent players who will have a chance to showcase their talents. Endrick will lead the attack as the center-forward, supported by Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz on the wings. Arda Guler has been placed as the central attacking midfielder, while Vinicius Jr. will begin the match on the bench. Notably, both Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are not included in the squad for this game.
In defense, Ancelotti has selected a pairing from La Fabrica, with Raul Asencio and Jacobo Ramon taking the roles at center-back. Federico Valverde and Ferland Mendy will serve as full-backs, while Andriy Lunin steps in as goalkeeper in place of the rested Thibaut Courtois. Aurelien Tchouameni returns to his preferred position in central midfield, joining captain Luka Modric as they aim to control the tempo of the match.
This lineup reflects Ancelotti’s commitment to giving opportunities to his squad depth while still maintaining a competitive edge in the tournament. Madrid fans will be hopeful that this mix of experience and youth can lead to a successful result against Leganes, paving the way for a deeper run in the Copa del Rey.