Match Today: Real Madrid vs Caserino 03-01-2023 King's Cup

After Real Madrid returned to LaLiga with a 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid, it will now be their turn to play their first Copa del Rey match.

His turn will come to visit Caserino club for the match corresponding to the round of 16 of the tournament. During the 2013-14 season, Real Madrid faced Barcelona in the King’s Cup final, and won it 2-1. The game in Mestalla is firmly rooted in the memory of the fans, but the amazing thing is that the club has not won the championship since then.

After nearly a decade, Real Madrid has not even reached the Copa del Rey final. The men in white were eliminated from the competition year after year on the back of embarrassing defeats. The reason - a combination of bad luck and possibly complacency.

Last season, they fell prey to Athletic in the quarter-finals after conceding a late goal from Alex Berenger in the 89th minute. This time around, Carlo Ancelotti will be determined to lead his men to the limit in the Spanish Cup.

The manager openly stated in his press conference that it had been a long time since the team had tasted victory in the cup and that they would push for it this season.

With the squad rejuvenated after the international break, Los Blancos will come out with all guns firing against Caserino. Andrei Lunin will almost certainly start in goal after impressing with his form at the start of the season. His goal can be covered by the centre-back duo of Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao.

With Karim Benzema set to rest, Rodrygo Joyce is best positioned to start as a striker with Marco Asensio taking over on the right flank. Eden Hazard is set to have a chance on the left flank, as confirmed by Ancelotti in his pressing after facing Valladolid.

Cacerino may not be a well known team or even a great team for that matter. However, it is usually such sides who have a weak card that allows them to play fearless football and attack. Ancelotti's men have to be careful in defence, because their opponents have nothing to lose.

A win will be widely celebrated but a loss would not be a loss in any practical sense for a Caceres-based side.

Dani Carvajal will be rested for Lucas Vazquez tonight while Ferland Mendy could rest. In midfield, one can expect Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Choameni to feature veterans.