• Real Madrid.Zidane again excludes Bale and delays Hazard's return

Two weeks ago, when Real Sociedad eliminated Espanyol in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, Diego Llorente looked around and felt old when he was just 26 years old: all his teammates in the starting lineup were younger than him. But the round of 16 against Osasuna arrived last week and that was in anecdote of the past. In that game, who felt like Llorente was Alex Remiro, the grandfather of the lineup with 24 years. Insultingly young, the Real eliminated the Navarrese team with a team whose average age was 21.8 years .

It will be difficult for the same to happen this Thursday (19.00) at the Santiago Bernabéu, since the logical thing is that Imanol Alguacil bet on players like Elustondo (25 years old), Portu (27), Monreal (33) and surely Zaldua (27). Variations that do not overshadow the determined commitment to youth made this season from the Real's sports direction, directed by Roberto Olabe, and also by the coach himself. Not surprisingly, txuriurdin is clearly the youngest First Division squad. In the League, nine of the 12 initial teams with the lowest average age that have been seen this season have been led by Sheriff.

It only has five players who exceed 28 years and, of them, only Monreal is being a key piece . So was Willian José (28), but his ugly flirting with Tottenham and Isak's remarkable performance have relegated him for the time being to the replacement. Illarramendi (29), meanwhile, was seriously injured in the San Mamés derby and has been in the dry dock for five months. The other two veterans are Miguel Ángel Moyá (35), substitute goalkeeper for Remiro, and David Zurutuza (33), who in his last year at the Real has a residual role and has also been injured for two months.

And also very good

But beyond the quantitative, the number of young players who live in the staff of the Royal Society, the qualitative stands out. Not only are they many, but they are very good. Some of them, the best of the staff. And in this section, of course, the name of Martin Odegaard, leader of this magnificent fifth, stands out . With 21 years recently completed and after two and a half courses of maturation in the Dutch league, the Norwegian is the great reference of this Royal Society. He arrived to compete for the position of mediapunta and from the first day he eradicated any debate. His assignment is for two seasons, but Madrid does not lose sight of him for the summer. This Thursday will play, as the white club eliminated the fear clause in its transfer policy .

Odegaard, in any case, will leave sooner or later. Who will stay will be Mikel Oyarzabal , captain with 22 years and great reference of the Zubieta quarry, as in the past were Griezmann, Xabi Prieto and Xabi Alonso. Much more mature - personally and professionally - than his age marks, the forward of Eibar lives the season of his consolidation, already as an indisputable offensive referent and with the ticket for the next Eurocopa practically sealed.

After the double O, three soccer players appear for whose signing the Real bet firmly in the last two years. Álex Remiro assumed to spend his last season of contract with Athletic blank to accept the offer that came from San Sebastian to join the freedom letter. In the case of Mikel Merino (23), the Real won the game to his eternal rival Bilbao by putting 12 million euros on the table of Newcastle. The last to join was Alexander Isak (20), a child prodigy of Swedish football that Borussia Dortmund released last summer in exchange for just over six million euros and has already earned the status of head battering ram.

And behind them, players come out of Zubieta and still in training, such as Barrenetxea (18), Aihen (22), Gorosabel (23), Zubeldia (22), Guevara (22) ... Wicker for an exciting future and A present of guarantees. The most immediate goes through the quarterfinals of the Cup at the Bernabéu. "Some think we are going to the slaughterhouse, but we are going there with the intention of winning," said Sheriff Wednesday.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Copa del Rey
  • Real Madrid
  • Real society
  • Athletic Bilbao
  • RCD Espanyol
  • CA Osasuna
  • Antoine Griezmann

Copa del Rey 2019 - 2020 Copa del Rey draw: schedule, where to watch on TV, drums and classified teams

Copa del ReyThe mess of the Cup schedules and the "bobbin lace" RFEF-LaLiga

Copa del Rey 2019 - 2020 Real Madrid - Real Sociedad: schedule and where to watch the Copa del Rey match