Real Madrid draw Leganes in Copa Del Rey last 16
The draw for the Last 16 of this season’s Copa Del Rey has been made and Real Madrid has drawn a familiar face. Here’s a look at the matchup with Leganes and the upcoming schedule.
Real Madrid has found out who its opponent will be for the Last 16 of the Copa Del Rey. The multi-tiered domestic competition holds great importance in Spain, and Real Madrid is making it quite the priority.
In recent years, the cup has escaped the grasp of Los Blancos but manager Santiago Solari will be looking to change that. Madrid has worked hard to be very successful in the Champions League over the past five years but has not been able to win the Copa Del Rey title since 2014.
👑⚽🏆 We will face @CDLeganes_en in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey! #RMCopa pic.twitter.com/FYxBmOuwdb
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 13, 2018
Real Madrid will take on off Leganes in the Last 16, a team they know all too well. The last time Madrid claimed victory in the competition was four years ago in that infamous match against Barcelona. Gareth Bale lit up the pitch with an incredible solo run down the left flank despite being shoved aside by Marc Bartra.
Last year, Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa Del Rey by Leganes, o revenge is in the cards for this team. The Whites were triumphant in the first match which was played away on a 1-0 scoreline but stunned 2-1 on the return leg.
In the last 10 years, Real has hoisted the trophy only twice; safe to say it’s not the track record one would like to see associated with this club. Rivals FC Barcelona, on the other hand, have won the trophy six times in the last ten years, which includes four consecutive wins.
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The upcoming round will be played over two legs, just like the round before it. This time around, VAR will be in effect and at the disposal of the referees. Many have been averse to the idea of implementing it in the middle of the campaign but the Spanish FA is looking to rule out any mistakes.
"We’ll have to make sure of a good result at the Bernabéu to get through at their ground. It will be an even couple of games and we’ll have to produce our best”. -Emilio Butragueno"
Real Madrid will play the first leg on January 9, and the return leg happening the following week on January 16. Club Director Emilio Butragueño admitted that “it will be a tight tie.” Leganes currently sits 16th in La Liga, but Emilio knows that is no reason to take this match lightly.