All eyes on a place in the Copa quarter-finals
Real Madrid head to Villarreal for the single-game knock-out clash in the Round of 16 (9:00pm CET).
This evening sees Real Madrid head to the Estadio de la Cerámica looking to move one step closer to getting their hands on the Copa del Rey. Our team face Villarreal in the Round of 16, played as a single-game knock-out 9:00pm CET, meaning only a win will to do make sure of a place in tomorrow's quarter-final draw.
It will be the fifth game Ancelotti's team play in this relentless month of January, all coming away from the Santiago Bernabéu. And it doesn't end there, with the league trip to San Mamés coming up this Sunday evening 9:00pm CET, before a long-awaited return to home turf to host Real Sociedad on Sunday 29 9:00pm CET. Between those two encounters, should Real Madrid qualify tonight, they'll have to fit in the Copa del Rey quarter-final tie as well.
It will be the fifth game Ancelotti's team play in this relentless month of January, all coming away from the Santiago Bernabéu. And it doesn't end there, with the league trip to San Mamés coming up this Sunday evening 9:00pm CET, before a long-awaited return to home turf to host Real Sociedad on Sunday 29 9:00pm CET. Between those two encounters, should Real Madrid qualify tonight, they'll have to fit in the Copa del Rey quarter-final tie as well.
“This game is the perfect opportunity to overcome a tough spell", explained Ancelotti in the pre-match press conference. The Italian coach has already named his squad to try and take the team into the quarter-finals. Our boys will be hoping to continue the impressive goalscoring streak which has seen them find the net in all 26 competitive games so far this season.
The opposition
Villarreal are enjoying a fine run of form, unbeaten in their last seven games six wins and a draw. They come into this round of the Copa del Rey having knocked out Santa Amalia 0-9, Guijuelo 1-2 and Cartagena 1-5. This is just the second time the two teams go head-to-head in the competition, having met in the Round of 16 back in the 1998/99 campaign. The two-legged tie was won by Real Madrid, following results of 0-2 and 2-0, with all four goals scored by Morientes.
The opposition
Villarreal are enjoying a fine run of form, unbeaten in their last seven games six wins and a draw. They come into this round of the Copa del Rey having knocked out Santa Amalia 0-9, Guijuelo 1-2 and Cartagena 1-5. This is just the second time the two teams go head-to-head in the competition, having met in the Round of 16 back in the 1998/99 campaign. The two-legged tie was won by Real Madrid, following results of 0-2 and 2-0, with all four goals scored by Morientes.