Overview
- New head coach Álvaro Arbeloa named his first squad for the Copa del Rey round of 16 against Albacete with five outfield call‑ups from the academy and two youth goalkeepers.
- Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Álvaro Carreras were left out despite the single‑elimination stakes.
- The promoted prospects include Joan Martínez, David Jiménez, Manuel Ángel, César Palacios and Jorge Cestero, plus goalkeepers Fran González and Sergio Mestre.
- Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Trent Alexander‑Arnold are reported unavailable through injury or absence.
- SPORT1 reports that David Jiménez and Jorge Cestero made the starting lineup with Andriy Lunin in goal, as Arbeloa vowed to fight for all titles and Marca labeled the selection his first risky bet.