Talavera-Real Madrid: the Copa del Rey gets underway
Xabi Alonso's boys visit El Prado this evening in the single-game Round of 32 tie (9:00 pm CET).
Real Madrid are gearing up to start their Copa del Rey campaign this evening. Xabi Alonso's boys visit the Estadio El Prado, where they will face Talavera for the first time in official competition, in their single-game Round of 32 tie (9:00 pm CET).
Our team head into the clash, their final away fixture of 2025, following victory over Alavés at Mendizorroza. The goal is qualification for the Copa Round of 16, prior to closing out the year at the Bernabéu on Saturday against Sevilla.
“The Cup is a special competition and we have to prepare for it seriously," underlined Xabi Alonso at the pre-match press conference. One of the key elements to booking a place in the next round will be extending the impressive numbers recorded in recent games away from home. Our team have enjoyed three wins and a draw in their last four away trips, scoring 10 goals (2.5 per game).
The opponent
Talavera reached the Round of 32 with wins in the previous rounds over Rayo Majadahonda away (1-4) and Málaga at home (2-1). The team from Castilla La Mancha currently sit second-from-bottom in Group 1 of the Primera Federación on 15 points with 4 wins, 3 draws and 9 defeats.