Preview Talavera vs Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso says Real Madrid are mentally ready to face Talavera at the 4,200-capacity El Prado stadium in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday.
“We know that the Cup is a special competition,” said Alonso, whose side won for the second time in six La Liga matches with a 2-1 win at Alavés on Sunday.
“It gives you the opportunity to play against teams you have never faced before. But it is also a competition in which there are big surprises, and we approach the match with respect and preparation.
“The conditions are a little different from those in which we usually play. Preparing for them with the necessary professionalism, seriousness and attitude is going to be fundamental.”
Founded as a fifth division team in 2011 after the merger of CF Talavera and Real Talavera, the host team has spent six seasons in the fourth division and eight in the third since then.
Talavera won promotion last season to the top tier, in which they are second after winning four and losing nine of their first 16 league matches of the season.
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Argentina coach Alejandro Sandroni expects the match to be “extremely long” for his team and says they will “approach it in 10-minute increments”.
“One of the principles I have always had is not to lie to the players,” said Sandroni, who ended more than a year of absence by taking charge on December 2.
“It’s very unusual for me to lie – to [the media]sometimes, but never to players. THE [opposition] the players, I told them, are superior in everything – not just physically, tactically or technically – by light years.
“As a team, one thing we might be above them at is passion. And passion moves mountains, so let’s see how far our passion takes us.”
Talavera vs Real Madrid team news
Madrid defenders David Alaba, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Trent Alexander-Arnold are injured, but left-backs Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras and striker Endrick are available following suspensions.
Centre-back Antonio Rudiger, midfielders Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde and La Liga’s top scorer Kylian Mbappe have minor issues, while reports in Spain suggest striker Vinicius Junior could be rested. Midfielder Thiago Pitarch, 18, could make his big debut.
Winger Valen Gomez is suspended for Talavera after being sent off in the 95th minute of their 2-1 home win over second division side Malaga, a day after Sandroni’s appointment.
Talavera is without former Moroccan international Bilal Ouacharaf as the right-back has a hamstring problem.
Talavera vs Madrid predicts starting eleven
Talavera starting lineup: Jaime Gonzalez, Edu Gallardo, Alvaro Lopez, Sergi Molina, Luis Sanchez David Cuenca, Sergio Montero, Pitu Doncel, Pedro Capo, Nahuel Arroyo, Gonzalo Di Renzo
Real Madrid starting lineup: Andriy Lunin, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Franco Mastantuono, Fran Garcia, Aurélien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gonzalo Garcia, Arda Guler
How to watch Talavera vs Madrid: TV channel, live stream online
Kick-off on Wednesday will be at 8:00 p.m. GMT (3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT), with live coverage in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streaming available on a wide range of devices via the Premier Sports app.
A Premier Sports subscription costs £120 per year, £11.99 per month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 per month with 30 days’ notice of cancellation required.
Talavera vs. Real Madrid stats
- Sandroni has won both of his home matches since his appointment, including a 2-1 victory on Sunday against a Mérida side who were 12 points ahead of Talavera.
- Talavera’s other Copa del Rey match this season was a 4–1 victory over fourth division side Rayo Majadahonda on October 28.
- Striker Gonzalo Di Renzo scored twice in that match as part of a run of four goals and an assist in the Argentine’s first 10 appearances of the campaign, although he has not been directly involved in a goal since.
- Alongside Di Renzo, defender David Cuenca is Talavera’s top scorer this season with three goals.
- The Minnows have already reached this stage of the competition once, losing after extra time to Cartagena – also in the third division at the time – in 2017/18.
- With 20 titles, Madrid is the third most successful team in the history of the Copa del Rey behind Athletic Club (24) and Barcelona (32).
- They have lost the most finals (21), ahead of Athletic Club (16) and Barça (11).
- The Copa del Rey was the only competition Alonso won twice during his time in Madrid’s midfield between 2009 and 2014, playing throughout their victories over Barcelona in the 2011 and 2014 finals.
- Madrid have won against lower league opponents in four consecutive seasons since losing after extra time at third division Alcoyano at this stage in 2020/21, beating fourth division sides each time.
- Los Blancos have the most points and points per away game in La Liga this season (6 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss) and have won two matches and lost one of their away matches in the 2025/26 Champions League.
Talavera vs. Real Madrid Prediction
Talavera
1
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3
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have not always been convincing on recent visits to strong underdogs, but another victory is imperative for Alonso’s under-pressure side, who play their final match of the calendar year at home to ninth-placed Sevilla on Saturday.
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