Mastantuono, Endrick start in a 4-3-3 – How Real Madrid can line up against CF Talavera | OneFootball

Real Madrid begin their Copa del Rey journey for the season tonight when they take on RFEF Primera Division side CF Talavera away from home.

Having managed to secure temporary relief from pressure with a victory over Deportivo Alaves in La Liga over the weekend, Xabi Alonso will be eager to get off to a winning start on his Copa del Rey debut.

After all, a misstep against a third-division club could end up costing the 44-year-old Basque tactician his job.

Alonso goes into the game bolstered by the availability of Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia, and Endrick, all of whom are available after missing the Alaves clash due to suspension.

Meanwhile, David Alaba has also returned to training, although it is unlikely that he will be ready to return.

Rodrygo has not suffered an injury and will be available, but the likes of Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, and Dani Ceballos could be rested. Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy remain unavailable.

So, there may be minutes for some young talents coming through the Castilla ranks and trained with the first-team squad in recent days. With that in mind, here’s how Real Madrid could line up against Talavera in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 clash.

Defence

Andriy Lunin is all set to make a rare start in goal for Real Madrid in the cup competition ahead of Thibaut Courtois, hoping to secure a clean sheet.

Meanwhile, like Victor Valdepenas over the weekend, there will be a new debutant for Los Blancos tonight as 21-year-old starlet David Jimenez appears set to make his maiden appearance at right-back, allowing Raul Asencio and Federico Valverde a break.

Dean Huijsen, who returned to action over the weekend, will occupy one of the centre-half positions, with Alvaro Carreras expected to partner him against the minnows. Fran Garcia will complete the Real Madrid backline, replacing Valdepenas.

Set to return. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Midfield

Dani Ceballos would have been a contender to start, but his absence from training on Tuesday due to a stomach bug has cast doubts over his availability.

While youngsters Thiago Pitarch and Jorge Cestero are options, Alonso will have to be mindful of the fact that he can use a maximum of four players registered with the reserve team – one of which will be taken up by Jimenez.

As such, Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to keep his place in the starting XI, occupying the deepest of the three midfield slots for Real Madrid.

Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham could, thus, be included in the lineup from the start by Alonso, in the hope of killing the tie at the earliest possible so that they can be given a breather in the second half.

Attack

Franco Mastantuono has had to bide his time since recovering from his pubalgia problem, but appears set to finally get his opportunity tonight against CF Talavera. The Argentine wonderkid, registered as a reserve player, will also occupy one of the four slots, along with Jimenez.

Meanwhile, Endrick could make his first-ever start under Xabi Alonso, having only played two games so far this term. It may end up being his final one before he leaves for Lyon on loan in the January transfer window.

The Brazilian international will line up as the No. 9 for Real Madrid, with Gonzalo Garcia expected to be the third forward, occupying the left flank from where he will look to drift centrally.