Real Madrid is set to showcase its youth talent as they face Leganes in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on February 5, 2025, at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. Following their recent defeat to Espanyol, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has made significant changes to his lineup due to injuries affecting key players. With star defenders Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba sidelined for around three weeks, Real Madrid has turned to promising youngsters.
The starting lineup features young forward Endrick, who will be joining Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz up front. Central to the midfield will be Arda Guler, who is also getting his chance to shine at the senior level, as Vinicius Jr. has been benched.
Defensively, Ancelotti will field La Fabrica graduates Raul.Asencio and Jacobo Ramon as the center-back pairing, with Federico Valverde and Ferland Mendy manning the flanks. Goalkeeping duties will be handled by Andriy Lunin, giving Thibaut Courtois some deserved rest. Aurelien Tchouameni returns to his more natural midfield role, partnered with veteran Luka Modric, who will be pivotal for the team.
For the past few seasons, Real Madrid has prioritized acquiring and developing young talent, investing heavily both for immediate contributions on the first team and for future improvements. This latest transfer window saw the arrival of Lamini Fati, who has been excelling at the youth level. The club is also close to finalizing the signing of Gabriel Castrelo from Atletico Madrid’s academy and has recently acquired Marc Stefan, hailed as one of the best youth prospects from Valencia. The 14-year-old winger showcases exceptional dribbling skills and will be aiming to establish himself at Real Madrid’s renowned academy.
Historically, breaking through to the first team has been challenging for academy players, but this trend appears to be shifting this season. Youngsters such as Raul.Asencio have made strides by earning first-team minutes, alongside other talents like Lorenzo Aguado, Jacobo Ramon, and Chema Andres. The return of Joan Martinez from injury is anticipated as another boost for youth integration.
Jacobo Ramon, born on January 6, 2005, has spent his entire career within Real Madrid’s ranks since joining the academy at just eight years old. Standing at 1.90 meters tall, he is recognized for his aerial prowess and defensive distribution skills. His recent ascent to first-team appearances has built both confidence and excitement for his future contributions.
The match against Leganes presents an opportunity for Ramon and fellow academy player Raul.Asencio to cement their roles within the squad. Social media buzz surrounding the pair's inclusion highlights both excitement and concern. Fans have taken to various platforms, expressing optimism: "Jacobo and asencio about to turn prime Varane and Ramos," one fan shared, emphasizing their hopes for these young players to rise to the occasion.
Yet, others remain cautious, stating, "I really hope [Raul] and Jacobo work... it would be HUGE for the future." This encapsulates the dual expectation of excitement and trepidation surrounding youth prospects stepping up when called upon during challenging times.
Real Madrid’s head coach Ancelotti is aware of the pressure on these young players. "We are in emergency, as both Rüdiger and Alaba will be out for 20 days," he noted. The pressing need for dependable defenders could hinge significantly on the contributions from Ramon and his youthful colleagues.
Overall, the strategies implemented by Ancelotti appear to reinforce Real Madrid's commitment to nurturing young talent amid significant injury setbacks. The club remains at the top of La Liga standings and is actively scouting potential players to bolster their defensive lineup for the rest of the season. Amidst the growing injury concerns, scouting efforts are reportedly underway to identify promising young signings, adding to the team's depth and strategic capabilities.