Real Madrid Hit by Fresh Setbacks Ahead of Talavera Cup Clash
So, as Real Madrid prepare to take on Talavera away from home in the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, the bad news just keeps piling up. What was supposed to be a routine cup fixture has suddenly turned into a real test of depth and resilience for the Spanish giants, especially at the back.
Earlier today, head coach Xabi Alonso officially announced his squad list for the Talavera match, and while the attacking firepower was reassuringly strong, the defensive absences immediately raised eyebrows. The big headline was the absence of Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper’s name was nowhere to be found on the club’s official list, adding yet another concern to an already stretched defensive unit.
Also Read:- Kang-In Lee Injury Clouds PSG’s Intercontinental Cup Final Against Flamengo
- Six Changes as Newcastle Shake Things Up for Fulham Cup Quarter-Final
As if that wasn’t enough, defender Raúl Asencio was also ruled out at the last minute after being sidelined with a fever. This exclusion was confirmed by the club in an official statement and was described as another defensive blow for Madrid, who are already dealing with a long injury list at the back.
When you look at the names missing, the scale of the problem becomes clear. Antonio Rüdiger, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all unavailable. That’s essentially an entire first-choice defensive line wiped out, forcing Alonso to rely heavily on young players and squad rotation in a knockout competition where mistakes can be costly.
Despite all these setbacks, there was some good news for Madrid fans. The squad still includes the team’s main attacking weapons. Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham were all named in the list, signaling that Real Madrid are taking this Copa del Rey tie seriously. With so much experience and quality up front, goals are clearly expected to compensate for the defensive instability.
In goal, responsibility has been handed to Andriy Lunin, supported by Fran González and Navarro. The defense is made up of names like Fran García, Carreras, Huijsen, Giménez, Martínez, and Valdepeñas, a mix of youth and limited first-team experience. The midfield still looks solid with Bellingham, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, and others expected to control the tempo. Up front, alongside the star trio, youngsters like Endrick and Gonzalo García have been included.
All eyes will now be on how Real Madrid cope with these absences on the pitch. Against a motivated Talavera side playing at home, this match could be trickier than expected. Still, with their attacking depth and winning mentality, Madrid will be confident that they can overcome the injuries and push through to the next round of the Copa del Rey.
Read More:
0 Comments