Just three days after both teams earned victories in La Liga matches, Espanyol and Real Madrid will meet in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal tie. Talk about no rest for the weary.
Espanyol vs. Real Madrid, 2014 Copa del Rey: Preview and TV schedule
Espanyol came close to getting a result against Madrid a week ago, this time they’ll try to finish the job in their quarterfinal first leg.
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More from our team sites
This is the second time this month the two teams will have met, with one more game coming next week in the second leg. Madrid one of the meeting -- a league match -- 1-0 thanks to a header from Pepe early in the second half. Espanyol will be hoping to take some positives away from that result and find a way to upset Los Blancos.
Carlo Ancelotti will likely shift is lineup around again in an attempt to keep players fresh. Sergio Ramos is doubtful with a knee injury and Xabi Alonso will probably be rested, opening up a spot for Asier Illarramendi. Karim Benzema scored his 100th goal in a Madrid jersey over the weekend but might find himself back on the bench in favor of Jesé.
Espanyol injuries and suspensions
Out: David López (hamstring)
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Sami Khedira (knee), Raphaël Varane (knee), Fabio Coentrão (suspended). In Doubt: Sergio Ramos (knee).
Varane is back training for Madrid but is not yet ready to play in a match. Facio Coentraão is suspended after picking up a red card in Madrid's win over Real Betis.
Projected lineups
Espanyol: Kiko Casilla, Javi López, Diego Colotto, Héctor Moreno, Juan Fuentes, Raúl Rodriguez, Gabriel Torje, Victor Sánchez, Álex Fernández, Christian Stuani, Jhon Córdoba.
Real Madrid: Iker Casillas, Álvaro Arbeloa, Pepe, Nacho, Marcelo, Asier Illarramendi, Luka Modrić, Ángel di María, Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jesé.
Match Date/Time: 9 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadi Cornellà-El Prat, Barcelona, Spain
TV: NBC Sports Network (U.S.), Sky Sports 2 (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports Play (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K).
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