As a result, Ancelotti has called up six players from the Castilla side, after praising Raul Gonzalez for his ‘very good’ work, and ensuring that the academy players are ‘always ready’. Gonzalo Garcia Torres made his debut at the weekend against Cadiz, and he is joined by Lucas Canizares, Fran Gonzalez (both goalkeepers), Mario Martin, Nico Paz and Theo Zidane in the squad. Martin and Paz have both made their debuts previously too.

Zidane, a central midfielder of 21 years of age like his father Zinedine Zidane, stands out for his engine in midfield, and has started 11 of 14 games for Raul so far. The third Zidane son to come through the Castilla academty, the eldest Enzo is currently without a club at the age of 28 after spells in Spain and Switzerland. Luca Zidane, who plays in goal, is currently first choice for Eibar in Segunda, made two appearances for the senior side, both in La Liga under his father, while Enzo played in the Copa del Rey against Cultural Leonesa. There is a fourth Zidane prospect also at La Fabrica, 17-year-old central defender Elyaz Zidane, who is regarded as perhaps the most promising of the bunch.