Sevilla FC plays Sporting de Hortaleza in Copa del Rey

Sevilla FC travels to Madrid today to begin its Copa del Rey campaign against Agrupación Deportiva Sporting de Hortaleza at the Municipal El Val stadium in Alcalá de Henares, with kickoff set for 21.00 broadcast on Movistar LaLiga. The expedition of Sevilla travels today in the midst of the country’s mourning following a terrible train accident in Toledo that forced the postponement of all of yesterday’s cup matches. Luis García Plaza’s squad arrives in the capital sitting comfortably in the upper tier of LaLiga with 17 points from ten matches, aiming to balance professional commitments while absorbing an atmosphere of national grief.

Stadium Dimensions and Amateur Opposition

The fixture takes place at Estadio Municipal El Val because Sporting de Hortaleza’s home ground does not meet the infrastructure requirements set by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Located approximately 35 kilometers from the working-class Madrid neighborhood of Hortaleza, the Alcalá de Henares venue opened in 1973 and holds roughly 8,000 spectators. El Val features the largest playing surface in Spain at 108 meters long by 72 meters wide, surpassing the standard 105 by 68 meters found at pitches like the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Santiago Bernabéu, and Camp Nou.

Sporting de Hortaleza plays in the Primera Autonómica de Madrid, representing the sixth tier of Spanish football. Managed by physical education teacher Jorge Mendoza, the amateur squad consists of pharmacists, builders, operarios, grocery vendors, and students. Players typically finish their shifts, change clothes, and report for training sessions at 23.30 to accommodate their work schedules. Pairing up with a seven-time UEFA Europa League champion like Sevilla generated immense excitement throughout the Hortaleza district as the amateur side approaches the match as a historic milestone.

Rotation Strategy and Upcoming Fixtures

Following a 2-0 victory over Osasuna at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla manager Luis García Plaza confirmed plans to deploy his second unit against Sporting de Hortaleza. The short turnaround before Sunday’s 14.00 kickoff against Getafe at the Coliseum forces tactical changes across the lineup. Todo el mundo dice que en la Copa hay que poner a toda la segunda unidad. En este caso es obligatorio, no porque yo quiera, sino porque, si no, no pueden jugar en Getafe, García Plaza stated. Todos los que jueguen el jueves no pueden jugar el domingo a las 14.00. Es imposible. Hay que poner a la segunda unidad, aunque esa ya era mi idea.

Sevilla’s anticipated starting eleven features Fran González in goal, with a defensive line of Carmona, Sangante, Cardoso, and Julio Díaz. Kochorashvili and Manu Bueno form the midfield pairing, supporting an attacking configuration of Rubén Vargas, Peque, Alfon, and center-forward Robbie Ure. The hosts are expected to counter with Gonzalo; Pérez, Alejo, Diego, Altozano; Bosco, Alhambra, Cristian, Sadjo, Llavero; and Isma under the officiating of Balearic referee Luis Bestard Servera.

Historical Context in the Knockout Tournament

Sevilla last lifted the Copa del Rey trophy 16 years ago, defeating Atlético de Madrid 2-0 in the final at Camp Nou to claim the competition for the fifth time in club history. García Plaza emphasized the importance of treating the tournament with professional respect regardless of the opponent’s lower category. Esta competición hay que tomársela en serio y competirla, the manager said. Competir no significa necesariamente llegar a la final, sino tomarse en serio la competición e intentar llegar lo más lejos posible. He estado dos veces a punto de meterme en semifinales, tanto con el Deportivo Alavés como con el Mallorca, y tengo ganas de intentarlo otra vez.

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