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| Shockwaves at the Bernabéu! Albacete vs Real Madrid in Copa del Rey Becomes Arbeloa’s First Major Test. |
Real Madrid are back in action amid a turbulent atmosphere. Los Blancos travel to face Albacete on Wednesday night in the Copa del Rey round of 16, in a match that carries far more weight than a typical cup fixture.
Just two days after losing to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, Real Madrid officially parted ways with head coach Xabi Alonso. Without delay, club legend Álvaro Arbeloa was appointed as his replacement. The former Castilla coach has had very little time to prepare the squad for what is essentially a must-win game. An early exit at this stage of the Copa del Rey would be considered a disaster by Real Madrid standards.
Albacete, meanwhile, come into the match with high motivation. Despite struggling in La Liga 2 this season and hovering just above the relegation zone, they recently pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating Celta Vigo via a dramatic penalty shootout. Playing at home at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, Albacete will be chasing history by trying to beat Real Madrid for the first time ever.
Match Details
The Albacete vs Real Madrid clash will take place at Estadio Carlos Belmonte in Albacete on Wednesday, January 14. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. GMT.
Head-to-Head Record
History heavily favors Real Madrid. In the last five meetings, Los Blancos have won every game. The most recent encounter dates back to April 2005, when Real Madrid secured a narrow 2–1 victory.
Recent Form
Albacete have shown inconsistent performances in recent matches, while Real Madrid arrive after several strong league results despite the painful El Clásico defeat. The contrast in momentum adds extra intrigue, especially with the pressure mounting on the visiting side.
Albacete Team News
Head coach Alberto González appears to have rotated his squad in the previous match to fully prioritize this Copa del Rey showdown. Against a powerhouse like Real Madrid, Albacete are expected to adopt a more defensive approach, likely lining up with five defenders.
Former Real Madrid center-back Jesús Vallejo will be a key figure at the back, bringing valuable experience against his former club. Up front, Agus Medina—Albacete’s top scorer in La Liga 2 this season—will shoulder much of the attacking responsibility as the hosts aim for a heroic upset.
Predicted Albacete Lineup (5-4-1):
Lizoaín; Aguado, Moreno, Vallejo, Neva, Gómez; Valverde, Pacheco, Rodríguez, Morcillo; Medina
Real Madrid Team News
All eyes will be on Real Madrid’s response following Alonso’s departure. Arbeloa is immediately under pressure, as anything less than a win would be unacceptable.
With Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo reportedly dealing with fitness concerns, young talent Franco Mastantuono could be handed a starting role. Vinícius Jr. is expected to lead the attack from the opening whistle.
At the back, David Alaba is likely to make his first start since October, partnering Raúl Asencio in central defense. In midfield, Arbeloa’s preferred 4-3-3 system could feature Eduardo Camavinga as the holding midfielder, flanked by Arda Güler and Dani Ceballos. Dani Carvajal is also pushing for a return after recovering from knee surgery.
Predicted Real Madrid Lineup (4-3-3):
Lunin; Jiménez, Asencio, Alaba, García; Güler, Camavinga, Ceballos; Mastantuono, García, Vinícius Jr.
Albacete vs Real Madrid Score Prediction
On paper, the quality gap between the two teams is significant. However, the Copa del Rey has a long history of surprises, especially when underdogs play at home with everything to prove.
That said, the recent drama should serve as a wake-up call for Real Madrid’s players. With a new coach on the sidelines and pride on the line, Los Blancos are expected to show their character and start the Arbeloa era with a convincing performance.
Prediction: Albacete 0–3 Real Madrid