Real Madrid, fresh off a thrashing of rival FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup this past Sunday, will look to defend their other domestic cup title when they take on Atletico in the Copa Del Rey tomorrow night. While this is a round of 16 clash, and not a title tilt, it does present a chance for Real to eliminate another arch-rival from a Spanish tournament.
Let’s take a look at what kind lineup Carlo Ancelotti could go with, in the interests of doing just that.
El Derbi Madrileño FYIs
Competition: Copa Del Rey Round of 16
Kickoff: Thurs. Jan. 18, 8:30pm, Metropolitan Stadium
Preview Content for Both Sides: Starting XI Predictions Team News
European football book authored by The Sports Bank Founder Paul M. Banks: go here
We’ll also look at what starting 11 Diego Simeone could pick, in the cause of trying to stop them. So without further ado, let’s get after it.
Starting XI Predictions
Jan Oblak; Axel Witsel, Jose Maria Gimenez, Mario Hermoso; Koke; Rodrigo Riquelme, Saul, Rodrigo De Paul, Samuel Lino; Antoine Griezmann, Alvaro Morata
Kepa Arrizabalaga; Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy; Ernesto Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos; Jude Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius Jr.
Prediction: Real Madrid 4, Atletico Madrid 2
Los Blancos are just rolling right now- especially so whenever they play their rivals.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.