Ancelotti Shakes Up Real Madrid Lineup for Copa del Rey Clash

MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has announced six significant changes to his starting lineup ahead of Thursday’s Copa del Rey last-16 clash against Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu. The shake-up comes in the wake of a disappointing 3-2 loss to bitter rivals FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final last weekend.

Ancelotti, under pressure following the defeat, criticized his team’s defensive performance and lack of commitment. “The evaluation of the match was that it was a bad game defensively in all lines, and there’s nothing more to add,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday. The Italian manager emphasized the importance of collective effort, stating, “We lacked commitment from all of us together. The most important thing is to put individual commitment together.”

Among the notable changes, Andriy Lunin will replace Thibaut Courtois in goal, while Fran Garcia takes over from Ferland Mendy at left back. Raul Asencio will partner Toni Rudiger in central defense, with Lucas Vazquez retaining his spot at right back. In midfield, Ancelotti has opted for a trio of Dani Ceballos, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Luka Modric, benching Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, and Jude Bellingham. Up front, Brahim Diaz replaces Rodrygo on the right wing, with Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe leading the attack.

Mbappe, who scored within five minutes against Barcelona, remains a key figure for Real Madrid as they aim to secure a spot in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The French forward’s form will be crucial as Los Blancos look to bounce back from their Super Cup setback and maintain their title challenge in La Liga, where they trail Atletico Madrid by just one point.

Celta Vigo, meanwhile, enters the match with mixed form in La Liga but has shown promise in cup competitions. However, facing Real Madrid at the Bernabeu presents a formidable challenge. Celta’s lineup could be weakened by the absence of Luca De La Torre, who is linked with a move to San Diego FC, and Marcos Alonso, who is nursing an ankle injury.

Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments reflect his determination to address defensive vulnerabilities and reignite his team’s competitive edge. With the Copa del Rey offering a chance for redemption, Real Madrid will be eager to deliver a strong performance and keep their silverware hopes alive.