Real Madrid's 3 Superstars to Rest! 18-year-old Kid Out: 111 Days Without a Goal, Chance for Redemption
At 2 am Beijing time on January 7th, the third round of the King's Cup will see Real Madrid face off against Minera away from home. Prior to the match, *Asa Newspaper* specifically mentioned the 18-year-old Endrick: This is an opportunity for the Brazilian teenager to turn things around. If he continues to underperform and not fit in, it will be difficult for him to get playing time in the future.
"Endrick, now or never," wrote *Asa Newspaper*. Playing against Minera is theoretically the easiest game for Real Madrid this season. Minera, established nearly a century ago, has always been an obscure team that has never played in La Liga or Segunda División, and this season they have been promoted to the fourth-tier league. This small rural team's first-ever encounter with the world's number one powerhouse, Real Madrid, is a historic moment.
Both *Marca* and *Asa Newspaper* agree in their previews that Ancelotti will rotate the squad, with superstars Vinicius, Mbappe, and Bellingham resting on the bench. The 18-year-old Endrick will start, looking to find his footing in the low-difficulty event that is the King's Cup.
Last summer, Endrick officially joined Real Madrid, experiencing a high start followed by a downturn. In his debut in La Liga and the Champions League, Endrick scored, impressing everyone. Endrick's strengths and weaknesses are evident: he has speed, confidence, explosive power, and decent footwork; however, he has not fully grasped Real Madrid's tactics and needs to deepen his understanding.
*Asa Newspaper* points out that Endrick has gone 111 days without scoring a goal. His last goal was on September 17th last year, when he scored in a 3-1 victory over Stuttgart in his Champions League debut. Since joining Real Madrid, Endrick has made 15 appearances but has only played a total of 160 minutes. In the last two La Liga matches, Endrick sat on the bench without getting a single minute of playtime.
The King's Cup match against Minera becomes a golden opportunity for Endrick. *Asa Newspaper* states that this King's Cup battle will be a crucial match for Endrick's redemption, survival, and turnaround. If he cannot deliver a convincing performance in the King's Cup, Ancelotti is even less likely to give Endrick opportunities to improve in La Liga and Champions League matches.
In this King's Cup match, Ancelotti will provide more fringe players with the chance to play. Besides Endrick, goalkeeper Lunin, central defender Raul Alencio, and midfielder Juler are all expected to start. Compared to these players, Endrick is more eager to play and in greater need of such an opportunity to win his battle for a turnaround.
Expected Real Madrid Starting Lineup:
Lunin/Lorenzo, Joaquin, Raul Alencio, Fran Garcia/Juler, Camavinga, Modric/Brahim Diaz, Endrick, Rodrigo