Rotate or not before Atlético final, Real weigh risk versus rhythm | OneFootball

With the Copa del Rey final against Atlético one week away, Real face Alavés at Anoeta on Saturday and the dilemma is clear, rest or keep the starters tuned.

According to Diario Vasco, one camp argues against risking the heavyweights, even with seven days to recover. Gorrotxategi played at Villarreal short of full fitness and is now a doubt, while Hancko, described as Atlético’s best centre-back, left Tuesday’s Champions League tie on crutches. Atlético are favourites, and losing a Real star would only harden that.

There is also fatigue. League starts this season read Oyarzabal 26 of 27, Guedes 22 of 30, Soler 19 of 25, Sergio Gómez 24 of 29 and Aramburu 26 of 28, many are internationals too. With Aihen, Marín, Zakharyan, Óskarsson and Kubo available, and with five changes, games can be won from the bench.

This is the club’s first final with supporters in 38 years, so the day to accept risk is against Atlético, not Alavés. Merino once played with a fractured L4 against Athletic, and Monreal bowed out in Sevilla on 3 April. With around 35,000 realzales travelling, few want fresh scares like the Levante game for Caleta-Car and Barrenetxea.

Others argue seven days is ample to rest and reset, it would be different if the final were on Wednesday 15. Stars should arrive oiled, and injuries can happen in warm-ups or training, as Illarra did the day before the final five years ago. Oyarzabal’s only setback this year came with the national team and Guedes has had none.

Momentum matters too, winning fuels belief and keeps the level high. A victory would lift those heading to Sevilla and edge Real closer to fifth and sixth. The first goal at La Cartuja can be scored by winning on Saturday.

Experience also suggests Matarazzo rarely rests before big ties, as seen before the Copa semi-finals against Athletic when he fielded his best men for more than 80 minutes. Against Alavés, absences point to Caleta-Car with Aritz at centre-back and Turrientes with Soler deeper. In attack he appears likely to stick with the usual faces, which some see as risky and he sees as avoiding risk.

Source: Diario Vasco