Real Madrid enters into the 2022 calendar year with high morale. The Spanish capital club will partake in two more domestic competitions in January. The Supercopa de Espana and the Copa del Rey. On January 6, Los Blancos will face Alcoyano in the Round of 32 of Copa del Rey.
The game will be an opportunity for Real Madrid to seek revenge against the 3rd division side, who knocked them in the same competition at the same stage last season.
There is a good chance that Carlo Ancelotti will rest the first team players who have been playing regularly in La Liga and the UCL.
Consequently, the Copa del Rey provides a unique opportunity for young and fringe players to play and prove their worth.
Let’s look at five players who can seize their moment in this competition.
Sergio Arribas
Sergio Arribas is one of the most promising youngsters in Real Madrid Castilla. Zidane rated the young Spaniard highly. The legendary French coach gave Arribas his first-team debut even before he had made his debut with Castilla. Arribas is mainly a No.10 or a trequartista but can also operate as a right-winger. His main qualities are dribbling in tight spaces, and his work rate is admirable. Arribas is one of those players who are very likely to play a part in the Copa Del Rey.
The 20-year old is Castilla’s highest scorer this season, with 5 goals to his name in 15 appearances. He has also contributed 3 assists. Getting to the first team for Arribas is about when, rather than if. The club holds Arribas in high regard, and they recently rewarded him with a contract till 2025. With the team expecting significant departures next summer, Arribas has a high chance of getting promoted. As the futures of Isco and Ceballos are seemingly away from Madrid, promoting Arribas makes even more sense. A good performance in the cup can accelerate this process.