Real Madrid-Leganes Copa Del Rey: Lineup Prediction

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Post on Feb 07, 2025

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Real Madrid vs Leganés Copa del Rey: Lineup Prediction and Match Preview

The Copa del Rey provides Real Madrid with a valuable opportunity to secure silverware and build momentum. Their clash against Leganés promises to be an intriguing encounter, albeit one where Carlo Ancelotti is likely to rotate his squad. This article delves into a potential lineup prediction for Real Madrid, analyzes Leganés's strengths and weaknesses, and offers a comprehensive preview of this captivating cup tie.

Real Madrid's Potential Lineup: A Blend of Experience and Youth

Ancelotti's managerial prowess lies in his ability to balance squad rotation with maintaining a high level of performance. Given the proximity of crucial La Liga and Champions League fixtures, expect a number of changes to the starting XI that faced [mention the opponent of the previous game]. However, the Copa del Rey remains a significant competition, and Ancelotti won't field a completely weakened team.

Here's a potential lineup prediction for Real Madrid against Leganés:

Formation: 4-3-3

• Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin. With Courtois likely to be rested, Lunin will have a chance to impress and solidify his position as the reliable backup.

• Defense: A mix of experience and youth is anticipated here. Dani Carvajal and Nacho Fernández could start at right-back and left-back respectively, providing defensive solidity and experience. At center-back, the pairing could be Eder Militao and David Alaba, offering a blend of pace and composure. Alternatively, Rüdiger could feature, giving Ancelotti further options depending on team needs and player fitness.

• Midfield: This area is ripe for rotation. Expect to see a midfield trio that blends creativity and defensive stability. Eduardo Camavinga’s dynamism and energy could feature alongside the more experienced Luka Modrić, whose playmaking abilities are invaluable. Aurelien Tchouameni offers a balance, providing both defensive solidity and the ability to contribute to attacks. This midfield three ensures a potent combination of experience and youthful vigour. Fede Valverde could be another option depending on his fitness and Ancelotti’s tactical preferences.

• Attack: The attacking trident is another area where Ancelotti might make significant changes. Rodrygo Goes’ pace and trickery could be unleashed on the right flank, while Marco Asensio could start on the left, providing another offensive threat. Karim Benzema, despite his age, remains a crucial figure for Real Madrid, and his experience and goal-scoring ability might be invaluable even in a cup tie. However, Ancelotti might opt to rest him to preserve him for other crucial matches, potentially giving a start to Mariano Díaz or even a young player like Álvaro Rodríguez.

Potential Substitutes: Courtois, Rüdiger, Vallejo, Mendy, Kroos, Valverde, Ceballos, Benzema (if rested), Mariano Díaz, Álvaro Rodríguez, Brahim Díaz. The bench will provide ample opportunities for players to showcase their talent and push for more playing time.

Leganés: Analyzing the Opposition

Leganés currently competes in La Liga 2, meaning this is a significant challenge for them. However, cup competitions often see upsets, and Real Madrid cannot afford to underestimate their opponents. Leganés's strengths lie in their:

• Defensive Organization: Teams from lower leagues often prioritize defensive solidity, making them difficult to break down. Expect a well-drilled Leganés defense to make life difficult for Real Madrid's attackers.

• Counter-Attacking Threat: Leganés will likely focus on absorbing pressure and launching swift counter-attacks, utilizing the pace of their wingers to exploit any defensive gaps in Real Madrid’s setup.

• Fighting Spirit: Playing against a club like Real Madrid will undoubtedly inspire Leganés’s players. They'll fight with immense determination and passion, making the match a challenging test for the reigning champions.

Tactical Considerations and Key Battles

The match could witness a tactical battle between Ancelotti’s flexible system and Leganés's likely pragmatic approach. Real Madrid's possession-based game will be tested against Leganés's compact defense. Key battles could include:

• Real Madrid's midfield vs Leganés's midfield: The dominance of the midfield will be crucial. Real Madrid’s superior technical ability will need to overcome Leganés's hard work and tenacity in this area.

• Real Madrid's wingers vs Leganés's full-backs: The pace and skill of Real Madrid’s wingers will be key to unlocking the Leganés defense.

• Real Madrid's attackers vs Leganés's center-backs: The aerial prowess and finishing ability of Real Madrid's forwards will be tested against a potentially resolute Leganés defense.

Predicting the Outcome

While Real Madrid are clear favorites on paper, the cup tie's unpredictability warrants caution. Leganés will fight tooth and nail, making it difficult for Real Madrid to dominate the match completely. However, Real Madrid's superior talent and experience should ultimately prevail. A comfortable victory for Real Madrid is expected, but Leganés will undoubtedly make them work for it. A scoreline of 3-1 or 2-0 in favor of Real Madrid seems plausible.

Conclusion: A Significant Test for Real Madrid's Depth

The Copa del Rey clash against Leganés offers Real Madrid a crucial opportunity to assess the strength of their squad depth. Ancelotti's ability to field a rotated side while maintaining performance levels will be vital. It will be a test for younger players to prove their worth and for those who are given less game time to showcase their talents. Ultimately, this match is a stepping stone towards securing the coveted Copa del Rey title, but the experience should prove invaluable to the squad.