Madrid, Dec. 16 -- Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid begin their Copa del Rey campaigns on Wednesday with third-round ties away to lower-league opponents.
Real Madrid travel to third-tier RFEF I side Talavera. Under-pressure coach Xabi Alonso appears to have bought himself some breathing space with Sunday's 2-1 win away to Deportivo Alaves, but he will still want a convincing performance against opponents struggling in their division.
Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras return after serving weekend suspensions, but Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga remain injured.
Atletico travel to Mallorca to face Atletico Baleares, another RFEF side, with Diego Simeone expected to name a strong starting 11 against a t...