Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s possible opponents in Copa del Rey Round of 32 ahead of Monday’s draw
The draw for the Round of 32 of the 2024/25 Copa del Rey will take place next Monday, marking the stage at which the teams participating in the Spanish Super Cup, who have been exempt from the tournament until now, enter the competition.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Club Bilbao, and Mallorca are the four teams who will now begin their journey in the Copa del Rey from the Round of 32.
Possible opponents for Real Madrid in the Round of 32
According to the competition’s regulations, teams participating in the Super Cup will meet the lowest-ranked teams still in the Copa del Rey, at the Round of 32.
And in this case, four teams from the Segunda RFEF have made it through: Barbastro from Aragón, Deportiva Minera from Cartagena, Pontevedra, and Logrones.
Real Madrid know that they will face one of these four teams during the weekend of January 4 and 5, 2025, in a one-off match away from home.
These will not be easy opponents, as they will be playing the match of their lives against the reigning champions of Spain.
Additionally, they have demonstrated their strength in the tournament: Barbastro recently eliminated Espanyol, Logrones knocked Girona out on penalties after a goalless draw, Pontevedra triumphed over Villarreal, and Minera defeated Alaves in a penalty shoot-out.
Having crashed out of the Copa del Rey tournament quite early last time out, Real Madrid will be hoping to go the distance in the competition this year.
However, things will not be easy for Carlo Ancelotti & co. considering the tight schedule and the team’s iffy performances so far this season.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
