PREVIEW
Real Madrid will travel to San Sebastian on Thursday (IST) to face Real Sociedad in the semifinal first-leg match of the Copa Del Rey at the Anoeta Stadium.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Tuesday his team were doing a good job given their packed fixture list, describing the football calendar as “absurd” and “unsustainable”.
If Madrid progress as far as possible in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, as well as the Club World Cup in the summer, they could play 72 games this season.
Madrid have already won the Intercontinental Cup and the European Super Cup, but lost against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
“Taking into account the absurd calendar we have to deal with, that all teams have to, not just us, we’re doing very well,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“All teams that are fighting and battling in these moments are doing very well, because it’s an unsustainable calendar.”
Los Blancos face Real Sociedad in a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg clash in the Basque country on Wednesday.
“In the span of 52 days, tomorrow will be our 17th game,” continued Ancelotti.
“If I look back to my time (as a player), in a season we’d play 30 league games, so we’d already be in the second half of the season.”
Real Madrid demolished Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate in the Champions League play-off round to reach the last 16 and are level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Ancelotti said he, his staff and players needed a break.
“I am tired and I imagine you (reporters) are tired too, from what I see and hear, you are tired. You need rest… we need rest,” he added.
Kylian Mbappe did not take part in the club’s training session on Tuesday due to a dental problem, but Ancelotti said he would be travelling to San Sebastian and could feature.
(With inputs from AFP)
LIVE STREAMING INFO
When is the Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid Copa del Rey 2024-25 quarterfinal?
The Copa del Rey 2024-25 semifinal first-leg match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid will be played at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, Spain on Thursday from 2:00 am IST onwards.
Where to watch Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid Copa del Rey 2024-25 quarterfinal LIVE?
While the cup competition doesn’t have an official broadcaster in India, you can LIVE stream the Copa del Rey 2024-25 semifinal first-leg match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid on the Fancode platform. Moreover, you can stay tuned to Sportstar’s website and app.
PREDICTED XIs
Real Sociedad: Remiro (gk); Aramburu, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Lopez; Zubimendi; Kubo, Olasagasti, Marin, Gomez; Oyarzabal
Real Madrid: Courtois (gk), Garcia, Asencio, Tchouameni, Vazquez, Valverde, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Modric, Diaz, Guler
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com