Pinatar vs Atlético Melilla - Copa del Rey

The Copa del Rey returns to the home ground on September 26, 2026, where Pinatar and Atlético Melilla will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. There are just three weeks to go in the transfer window and City face more transfer questions than answers ahead of the new campaign.

Both Pinatar and Atlético Melilla will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Copa del Rey. Pinatar will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. Atlético Melilla will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Elsewhere, there was a useful win for Atletico Madrid to end Sevilla's unlikely winning run.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. Pinatar will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Atlético Melilla's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. But it was a dual role for Rayo because he was also among the top dozen players for blocking crosses and winning possession in the defensive third.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Priske's winner against Swansea came after a set-piece found Vicente and he squared the ball for the striker.

The fixture has the feel of a coin-flip, and picking a winner with any conviction would require a braver pundit than most. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Copa del Rey standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.