Domestic cup competitions always bring about fascinatingly unique matchups. We’ll see another one of these once-in-a-great-while novelty clashes on Wednesday night, when Real Madrid, arguably the world’s richest and most powerful club, visits CF Talavera, who were founded in 2011. They are back promoted to Tercera Division, the third tier of the Spanish football pyramid, for this season.
Copa del Rey Round of 32 FYIs
Real Madrid at CF Talavera
Kickoff: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Real Madrid Preview Material: Team News Starting Lineup Prediction
This is the highest tier that Talavera have ever resided at.
So if Madrid were to somehow defy the odds and lose here, well, Xabi Alonso would almost certainly get the sack then. Consider just how scorching hot his seat already is right now.
So with that in mind, figure that his lineup here will include a regular first team player in every position group. It will still be weakened side, but it won’t be that weak.
Real Madrid Predicted Starting XI at CF Talavera
Andriy Lunin; Fran Garcia, Raul Asencio, Alvaro Carreras, Victor Valdepenas; Dani Ceballos, Aurelien Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Franco Mastantuono, Brahim Diaz; Gonzalo Garcia
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor 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 currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, RG.org and Ratings.org. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.