Real Madrid Copa Del Rey Lineup: Leganes

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Post on Feb 07, 2025

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Real Madrid Copa del Rey Lineup: Leganes - Predicting the Starting XI and Tactical Approach

Real Madrid's Copa del Rey journey continues with a clash against Leganés. While this might seem like a straightforward fixture on paper, Carlo Ancelotti will need to carefully consider his team selection, balancing the need for victory with the importance of squad rotation and player fitness. This article delves deep into predicting the potential Real Madrid starting lineup against Leganés, analyzing the tactical approach Ancelotti might employ, and discussing the key challenges and opportunities presented by this match.

Analyzing Leganés' Strengths and Weaknesses

Before predicting the Real Madrid lineup, it's crucial to assess the opponent. Leganés, currently competing in the Segunda División, presents a different challenge compared to La Liga opponents. They are likely to employ a compact defensive strategy, aiming to frustrate Real Madrid's attacking prowess and capitalize on any defensive lapses. Understanding their strengths – potentially their tenacity and set-piece effectiveness – and weaknesses – potentially a lack of experience against top-tier opposition – is key to predicting Ancelotti's choices.

Leganés Strengths:

• Defensive Organization: Expect a well-organized defense, aiming to limit Real Madrid's space and opportunities.
• Set-Piece Threat: Teams from lower leagues often excel at set-pieces, making this a potential area of concern for Real Madrid.
• Counter-Attacking Potential: Leganés will likely look to hit Real Madrid on the break, capitalizing on any defensive errors.

Leganés Weaknesses:

• Individual Quality: The overall individual quality of Leganés players will likely be lower than Real Madrid's squad.
• Experience Against Top Teams: Playing against a team like Real Madrid is a significant step up, and this lack of experience could impact their performance.
• Maintaining Pressure: Sustaining pressure against a team of Real Madrid's caliber for the entire match will be a significant challenge.

Predicting the Real Madrid Starting XI

Ancelotti is known for his tactical flexibility, but given the nature of the Copa del Rey and the need to manage squad fitness, we can predict a strong, yet rotated, starting lineup. This lineup balances experience with opportunities for fringe players to prove their worth.

Goalkeeper:

• Andriy Lunin: With Courtois likely to be rested for this match, Lunin will almost certainly get the nod. He needs game time to maintain his sharpness and build confidence.

Defense:

• Dani Carvajal: A dependable right-back, offering both defensive solidity and attacking impetus.
• Éder Militão: A consistent performer, offering pace and strength in the heart of the defense.
• Nacho Fernández: A versatile defender who can play across the backline, offering experience and reliability.
• Fran García: A young, promising left-back who could be given an opportunity to impress in the Copa del Rey.

Midfield:

• Aurelien Tchouaméni: A key midfielder who brings defensive stability and distribution.
• Eduardo Camavinga: Another dynamic midfielder, offering energy, skill, and a willingness to drive forward.
• Federico Valverde: A box-to-box midfielder who offers goalscoring ability alongside his defensive contributions.

Attack:

• Rodrygo Goes: A talented winger who can provide both goals and assists, offering a direct threat.
• Karim Benzema: Despite his age, Benzema's experience and clinical finishing make him a valuable asset. Even in a rotated lineup, he could start and potentially be substituted later in the game to allow for rest.
• Marco Asensio: A versatile attacker who can play across the front line, offering creativity and a goalscoring threat.

Ancelotti's Tactical Approach: Domination and Rotation

Ancelotti is likely to adopt a possession-based approach, aiming to dominate the ball and control the tempo of the game. The use of quick passing combinations, exploiting the width of the pitch, and creating overloads in midfield will be key. He'll also use this match as an opportunity to give some fringe players valuable minutes and assess their form. The tactical flexibility will allow for swift changes to counter any surprises from Leganés.

Key Tactical Considerations:

• Pressing: Real Madrid might implement a high press to force errors from Leganés' defense and win back possession in dangerous areas.
• Width: Exploiting the width of the pitch through the full-backs will be crucial to stretching Leganés' defense.
• Set-Pieces: Given Leganés' potential threat from set-pieces, Real Madrid will need to be organized defensively in these situations.
• Substitutions: Ancelotti will likely utilize substitutions to manage the game and give other players a chance. This will ensure that key players are rested before important La Liga fixtures.

Challenges and Opportunities

This match presents both challenges and opportunities for Real Madrid. The challenge lies in avoiding complacency and ensuring a professional performance against a lower-league opponent. Leganés will be motivated and organized, and Real Madrid cannot afford to underestimate them.

The opportunity lies in giving valuable game time to players who need it and testing different tactical approaches without risking key players' fitness. It's a chance for fringe players to showcase their talent and potentially earn more opportunities in the future. Further, it's a chance for Ancelotti to solidify his squad rotation plans and refine tactics before facing more demanding opponents.

Conclusion: A Calculated Approach to Victory

The Real Madrid vs. Leganés Copa del Rey match is not merely about securing a victory; it's about managing the squad effectively. The predicted lineup and tactical approach reflect this balance. Ancelotti will likely field a strong starting XI with a mixture of experience and youth, aiming to control the game and secure a comfortable win while providing game time to players who need it. While Leganés will undoubtedly pose a challenge, Real Madrid's superior quality and tactical flexibility should see them progress to the next round of the competition. The match offers a valuable opportunity for both the team and the manager to prepare for the more challenging fixtures that lie ahead.