Real handed tough route for Copa defence

Real Madrid will likely have to defeat both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the next two rounds if they are to retain the Copa del Rey.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men overcame both teams en route to victory in 2013-14, dispatching city neighbours Atletico 5-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals before Gareth Bale’s incredible solo effort sealed a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Barca in the Mestalla final in April.

The 19-time winners are in line to meet Atletico and Barca at an earlier stage in this season’s competition, after the full draw was made on Friday.

Real will take on third-tier Cornella in the last 32, with the first leg brought forward from December 3 to October 29 due to the capital club’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Atletico have been paired with L’Hospitalet, also of Segunda B, and should both Madrid clubs progress then they will collide in the last 16.

Barca, meanwhile, will take on Huesca for the right to face either Real Valladolid or Elche.

Victory in that tie would send them into the quarter-finals, where a likely meeting with one of the Madrid giants would await.

With the exception of Real’s tie, all first legs will be played on December 3, with the return fixtures scheduled for two weeks later.

Round of 32 draw in full:

Huesca v Barcelona, Real Valladolid v Elche, L’Hospitalet v Atletico Madrid, Cornella v Real Madrid, Cadiz v Villarreal, Real Oviedo v Real Sociedad, Real Betis v Almeria, Getafe v Eibar, Deportivo La Coruna v Malaga, Albacete v Levante, Las Palmas v Celta Vigo, Alcoyano v Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano v Valencia, Alaves v Espanyol, Granada v Cordoba, Sabadell v Sevilla.