Real Madrid debuts in the Copa del Rey against a rival from Segunda RFEF, Arandina. A historic duel that will be played as a single party this Saturday, 6th of January, at the modest Juan Carlos Higuero de Aranda de Duero stadium.
The visit of Carlo Ancelotti’s team, current Cup champion and current leader of the League, to Aranda de Duero (Burgos) is the jackpot of the draw for the round of 32 of the KO tournament, along with Barbastro – Barcelona. The all-powerful white giant against a team from the fourth category of Spanish football that is also bottom of its group standings.
The Burgos club has expanded the capacity of the stadium so that more than 10,000 people can attend the event. This is the scenario in which Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler could finally make his debut. The Turkish midfielder seems to have put his injury ordeal behind him and the Italian coach plans to give him his first minutes as a white player in the Cup.
Although Madrid’s starting 11 is expected to present numerous new features in all lines, those chosen must impose their superiority from the start of the match to avoid scares. In addition to Güler, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Lucas Vázquez, Nacho Fernández, Dani Ceballos, Brahim Díaz and Joselu Mato are called to have a leading role this Saturday.
For their part, at Arandina the players are waiting for the moment to savor the game of their lives. “Pure excitement at its finest, a match that all of us who make up the club have dreamed of at some point,” said the team’s coach, Álex Izquierdo, who will not be able to count on the injured Dieguito and Gonzalo. The rest of the squad is available to try to squeeze out the magic of Three Kings Day and surprise.
Although the balance tilts resoundingly on the side of Real Madrid, at Arandina they want to continue dreaming until the last breath of the game. By now, you already know what it’s like to destroy a First Division team in this edition of the Copa del Rey, Cádiz in the previous round (2-1).
The referee Víctor García Verdura has been appointed to referee Arandina-Real Madrid.
The Arandina – Real Madrid match, corresponding to the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, will be played this Saturday, January 6 at the Juan Carlos Higuero stadium starting at 9:30 p.m.
The match between Arandina and Real Madrid can be seen live on television through La 1 on TVE and Teledeporte, as well as in streaming through the RTVE Play platform. Likewise, you can follow the match minute by minute through EL MUNDO live.