Cornella vs. Real Madrid: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Copa Del Rey Game

A completely different type of match awaits Real Madrid on Wednesday evening after the highs of Anfield and the Clasico.

After beating Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday, they now travel to the Catalan city for a Copa del Rey clash against third-division side UE Cornella.

And Madrid travel east not just as European champions but as the holders of the Copa del Rey.

Gareth Bale's outstanding solo goal saw them lift the trophy at the expense of Barca in last season's final at Valencia's Mestalla Stadium.

The match will be played over two legs, which limits Cornella's chances of an upset, and it has been brought forward due to Los Blancos' involvement in the Club World Cup later this year.

Over the following slides, B/R takes a look at the issues and the decisions that could shape the clash.

Ground Switch

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UE Cornella play their home matches in the Nou Camp—not that one, of course—a ground which permits less than 2,000 fans.

The facilities and the pitch are a million miles away from those at the Bernabeu, which could prove one of the home side's major weapons.

Except it won't.

Instead of taking on Carlo Ancelotti's side in their usual haunt, Cornella will play their home leg at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat Stadium.

It hands Madrid a distinct advantage.

Going to a Primera Division ground with Primera Division changing rooms and a Primera Division pitch is a distinct advantage to a Primera Division side.

Going to the other Nou Camp might have proven a slightly different story, even if that story still ended with a Madrid win.

Financially, with over 20,000 tickets sold, Cornella may be better off, but it would have been much more fun to try and knock Madrid's millionaires out of their comfort zone.

Will Madrid Have a Hangover?

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Following such adrenaline-inducing wins against Liverpool and Barcelona, it would be perfectly normal if Real Madrid dropped their performance levels for their trip to Cornella.

Not only will they have spent so much energy during the last seven days, but the nature of the Copa del Rey format—home and away legs—makes it almost impossible for large-scale upsets.

It means Madrid can afford to coast.

Even if they lose, they're still likely to overpower their rival in the return match at the Bernabeu.

At this last-32 stage of the competition last season, they drew 0-0 away at another third-division side, Olimpic de Xativa, before beating them 2-0 back in the Spanish capital.

Carlo's Rotations

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The way in which Liverpool and Barcelona were put to the sword by Ancelotti's side shouldn't have come as a surprise given the juggernaut-like run they are on.

Since defeats to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, they have won nine straight matches and have scored 38 goals along the way.

Looking at it like that, Cornella don't stand a chance.

However, Ancelotti is likely to make a string of changes which could lead to a hint of unfamiliarity on the pitch.

Still, the players who are likely to come in are still leaps and bounds ahead of anyone in the home team's squad, and a large portion of them will be full internationals for their country.

On the other side of the argument, the likes of Keylor Navas, Raphael Varane, Asier Illarramendi and Javier Hernandez will all be desperate to prove they should be more than just Copa del Rey players.