Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Celta Vigo | Copa del Rey | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be hoping to produce a strong reaction after their Spanish Super Cup debacle as they take on Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey Round of 16.

Ahead of the Merengues’ first home game of 2025, Carlo Ancelotti has announced the starting lineup that will take the field at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The manager has named a largely strong lineup with some rotations, starting from the goal where Andriy Lunin replaces Thibaut Courtois.

Lucas Vazquez continues at right-back but Fran Garcia steps in for Ferland Mendy at left-back. Raul Asencio gets a rare start at the heart of the defence, partnering Antonio Rudiger.

Asencio’s reintroduction in the defensive line means Aurelien Tchouameni returns to his natural habitat in midfield, where he is joined by Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric. As such, both Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde have been rested.

Up top, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. both feature from the get-go with Brahim Diaz coming in for Rodrygo Goes. There is no place in the team for Arda Guler and Endrick, who started the last Copa del Rey clash against Deportiva Minera.