Spanish clubs navigate tricky Copa del Rey fixtures
From narrow escapes to comfortable victories, here is how the top Spanish clubs fared in the latest round of Copa del Rey action.
The latest round of the Copa del Rey provided a mix of tactical tests and hard-fought victories for Spanish clubs. While some teams managed to cruise through with the help of their youth squads, others were pushed to the limit by determined lower-division opponents.
Varied paths to the next round
Villarreal demonstrated the depth of their roster by relying on academy talent to secure a comfortable win. The match saw goals from Diatta, Tani, Cardona, Nizar, and Pepe, while Roca, Bonafé, and Barrera were handed their debuts.
Elsewhere, survival was more difficult. Rayo needed a brace from Alemão to overcome Recreativo, who fought valiantly despite playing with ten men for nearly 80 minutes. Malaga also faced a stern test against Sporting Alcázar, needing a late surge with goals from Chupe and Dan Lorenzo to avoid an upset.
Meanwhile, Funes expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, highlighting the importance of giving playing time to squad members who usually see less action.
"We have met the objectives we set for ourselves."
Funes
See stats and expectations for corners, cards and other incidents in upcoming matches.
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