Jese Rodriguez is set for his first appearance in almost nine months as Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rings the changes for the Copa del Rey clash against Cornella.
Los Blancos claimed a record-breaking 16th successive victory with Saturday’s 2-1 triumph at Malaga, and with three very winnable home games against Cornella, Celta Vigo and Ludogorets in the next week, they seem certain to extend that
However, with his side boasting a 4-1 lead from the first leg of their last-32 clash with Segunda B side Cornella, Ancelotti will change a winning team as he plans to give some of his fringe players a chance to impress.
“We’re going to make rotations. Not because the team is tired, they look good to me and have no problems," he said.
“We’re rotating because we need to give minutes to players who have not had them up to now.
“The team is more or less decided. Pepe, (Sergio) Ramos, Marcelo, Ronaldo, Benzema and (Toni) Kroos will be rested.”
Ancelotti confirmed that Asier Illarramendi, Sami Khedira and youngster Alvaro Medran will start in midfield, and that forward Jese is set to play some part.
The 21-year-old attacker has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury during Madrid’s Champions League win over Schalke in March.
Ancelotti also revealed the club are in talks to sign highly-rated Spain Under-19 winger Marco Asensio from Real Mallorca.
“Marco Asensio is a very good player,” said Ancelotti. “That’s why we are talking with Mallorca to bring him in next summer.”
Aside from Madrid’s clash with Cornella, the only second-leg tie taking place this week sees Sevilla play host to Sabadell, with
the Andalucians boasting a 6-1 advantage. All the remaining ties this week are first-leg meetings.
