La Liga’s biggest clubs have avoided difficult draws in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey, although the Blancos will be heading outside of Europe
Real Madrid have been drawn against Africa-based Melilla in the Copa del Rey’s round of 32, while Barcelona will also face third-tier opposition.
Holders Barca – who crushed Sevilla 5-0 in last season’s final – get their campaign started away to Cultural Leonesa, who were relegated from La Liga 2 last term.
Madrid’s first-leg contest with Segunda B4 leaders Melilla will see them travel to one of Spain’s two ports on the continent of Africa, though both – the other being Ceuta – are claimed by Morocco.
Article continues below
Editors' Picks
Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over Man City monitoring Barcelona & Chelsea target Jovic
Arguably the standout draw for the smaller clubs left in the competition is that of fourth-tier side Sant Andreu, however, as they will play Atletico Madrid.
La Liga leaders Sevilla are to face Villanovense, while Valencia were drawn with Ebro – two ties which should provide little difficulty for either of the top-tier clubs.
Sergio Canales will return to Racing Santander – the club he impressed for as a teenager – with Real Betis and there are four all-LaLiga ties to look forward to, with Leganes and Rayo Vallecano set to go up against each other in a pair of Madrid derbies.
The first fixtures are provisionally due to take place on October 31, with the return games on December 5.
Copa del Rey draw in full:
Cultural Leonesa v Barcelona
Ebro v Valencia
Sant Andreu v Atletico Madrid
Melilla v Real Madrid
Villanovense v Sevilla
Racing Santander v Real Betis
Almeria v Villarreal
Cadiz v Espanyol
Sporting Gijon v Eibar
Lugo v Levante
Cordoba v Getafe
Athletic Bilbao v Huesca
Deportivo Alaves v Girona
Leganes v Rayo Vallecano
Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad