Thu Jan 16 19:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Real Madrid Faces Must-Win Copa del Rey Clash Against Celta Vigo

**Madrid, Spain** – A wounded Real Madrid, still smarting from a heavy defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final, faces a crucial Copa del Rey round-of-16 clash against Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu. Carlo Ancelotti has named a strong starting XI, showing no intention of rotating his key players, except for the injured Thibaut Courtois, replaced by Andriy Lunin in goal.

Ancelotti emphasized his commitment to fielding the best possible team, highlighting the inclusion of Vinicius Junior (serving a league suspension next match) and Kylian Mbappé, who impressed despite injury in the Barcelona loss. The manager is aiming for midfield stability, potentially opting for a midfield quartet of Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham, and Ceballos.

Celta Vigo, missing key striker Iago Aspas, travels to Madrid facing a significant challenge. Despite their poor away record this season, manager Claudio Giráldez has promised a brave performance, relying on the youthful energy of his squad and aiming to minimize defensive errors. The Celta lineup is expected to feature a strong backline including Marcos Alonso.

The match holds extra significance for Real Madrid, who are seeking to overcome their recent struggles in major matches. A victory is crucial to avoid further setbacks after a series of defeats. Celta Vigo, meanwhile, will be hoping to repeat their 2017 Copa del Rey upset victory at the Bernabéu. The match kicks off at [Time] and will be officiated by José Luis Munuera Montero.

**Confirmed Starting Lineups:**

**Real Madrid:** Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Fran García; Camavinga, Valverde, Ceballos, Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Mbappé.

**Celta Vigo:** Villar; Javi Rodríguez, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Mingueza, Hugo Álvarez, Damián Rodríguez, Hugo Sotelo; Swedberg, Durán, Borja Iglesias.

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