Real Madrid’s opponent in Copa del Rey round of 16 revealed | OneFootball

Copa del Rey round of 16 draw were held today and Real Madrid now know the challenge that lies ahead to secure their place in the quarterfinals.

Their next opponent will be Celta de Vigo, with the match scheduled to take place at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid advanced to this stage after a commanding 5-0 victory over Deportiva Minera in the previous round. The match was a one-sided affair that showcased the significant gap in quality between the two teams.

Ancelotti’s side were in complete control throughout the game, demonstrating their dominance and making it clear why they remain one of the strongest contenders for the Copa del Rey title.

Excitement ahead

Although the draw remains conditional, there is always the possibility of facing stronger rivals in the upcoming rounds.

This means fans could potentially witness another high-stakes Clasico against Barcelona or a heated Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid, similar to what happened in last season’s edition of the tournament.

Such matchups would undoubtedly bring additional excitement and tension to the competition.

Draw structure

The structure of the draw for this stage is designed to give teams from lower divisions an opportunity to test themselves against top-tier opponents.

However, since there are more than eight La Liga teams left in the competition, it is mathematically inevitable for some top-flight clubs to face each other.

As a result, Real Madrid will take on Celta de Vigo in what is expected to be a challenging yet favourable fixture for the home team.

When will they play the RO16 matches?

The round of 16 matches are set to be played over three days: January 14, 15, and 16.

The format remains the same as in the earlier rounds—a single-match knockout—which continues to add an element of unpredictability and excitement to the tournament.

A key development in this stage is the introduction of VAR technology, which had been absent in the earlier rounds. This addition aims to ensure more accurate refereeing decisions in these crucial encounters.