Talavera faces Real Madrid tonight as Mbappé starts forward in Copa del Rey Round of 32 clash

Real Madrid face Talavera tonight in a Copa del Rey Round of 32 clash at the Estadio El Prado. Xabi Alonso’s side visit the small provincial stadium for a single-game elimination match. The Whites aim to book their spot in the Round of 16 with another strong away performance.

David vs Goliath in Castilla La Mancha

Real Madrid arrive at the modest 5,000-seater Estadio El Prado as overwhelming favorites against third-tier outfit CF Talavera. This represents one of the biggest fixtures in Talavera’s history, offering them a genuine opportunity against one of Europe’s elite clubs in knockout competition.

The Whites have won 20 Copa del Rey titles in their storied history and are rated among the primary favorites to claim another crown this season. Manager Xabi Alonso will look to extend his team’s recent away form, which has yielded three wins and one draw in their last four trips, scoring an impressive 10 goals during that stretch.

Talavera’s Impressive Cup Run

Alejandro Sandroni’s Talavera side have already impressed in the Copa del Rey this season, beating Rayo Majadahonda convincingly 4-1 in the first round. They followed that with a shock 2-1 victory over Málaga in the second round, demonstrating legitimate quality within their division.

The third-tier club from Castilla La Mancha currently rank seventh in their domestic league table after collecting 24 points through their first 16 games, with four wins, three draws, and nine defeats. Victory over Mérida 2-1 at the weekend gave them momentum heading into tonight’s cup encounter against Los Blancos.

Team News and Squad Updates

Squad Status	Details
Real Madrid Absences	David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio, Brahim Díaz
Real Madrid Starting XI	Lunin; Jiménez, Huijsen, Carreras, Fran García; Mastantuono, Güler, Ceballos; Gonzalo García, Endrick, Mbappé
Talavera Absences	Valen Gómez (dismissed in previous round)
Key Talavera Players	Jaime González (goalkeeper), Álvaro López (defender), Gonzalo Di Renzo (forward)

Kylian Mbappé will start up front for Real Madrid as Alonso fields a side strong enough to overcome their lower-division opponents. Despite rotating his squad due to eight first-team absences, Los Blancos have the quality to navigate this test comfortably.

Xabi Alonso Emphasizes Cup Competition Importance

During his pre-match press conference, Xabi Alonso stressed the importance of treating the Copa del Rey seriously despite it being a competition often used for squad rotation by elite sides. His team showed they meant business by including Mbappé, Endrick, and young prospect Arda Güler in their starting lineup.

“The Cup is a special competition and we have to prepare for it seriously.”

— Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid Manager

Real Madrid’s immediate focus extends beyond tonight’s match. After facing Talavera, Los Blancos host Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday at the Bernabéu, making this evening their final away fixture of 2025.

Can Talavera Create a Historic Upset Against Real Madrid?

While Talavera has shown genuine quality throughout their Copa del Rey campaign, Las Blancas fielding of Mbappé and Endrick suggests they are intent on advancing decisively. Real Madrid’s recent away form, combined with their vastly superior squad depth and experience, makes them overwhelming favorites.

However, Talavera’s previous knockout victories over Rayo Majadahonda and Málaga demonstrate they can compete at higher levels. Their home crowd at El Prado may provide some inspiration, though history suggests the gulf in class will prove decisive. The match represents a genuine opportunity for the third-tier outfit to make headlines on the national stage.

Sources

• Real Madrid Official – Match preview and squad information
• Marca – Confirmed lineups and team news
• ESPN – Competition format and match details