This Saturday, April 26, Barça and Real Madrid face off in the Copa del Rey final, a match that will start at 10:00 p.m. The Estadio de la Cartuja will host this duel, a matchup that hasn't happened since 2014, when Bale gave the title to the whites at the end of the match. The game can be watched on TVE, Movistar +, and minute by minute through our social media @carpetasblaugranas
How Barça Arrives
The "culés" are alive in all competitions, a situation that any Barça fan would have signed in August. To reach this final, Flick's team has eliminated Barbastro (0-4), Betis (5-1), Valencia (0-5), and Atlético de Madrid (5-4). The Catalan team is the king of this competition with 31 titles, the last time being in 2021 after defeating Athletic 4-0.
Hans Flick, when asked about his rival, comments that one shouldn't look at previous matches because Madrid is a fantastic team and can hurt them. Regarding the controversy arising from the referees' statements, he believes they should be cared for and respected. Araujo, who was also at the press conference, confirms that more than euphoria, what exists within the group is motivation and that it's a joy to be able to fight for everything.
As for the possible XI, the expected line-up is the gala one, except that Balde and Lewandowski won't make it due to injury. Their substitutes will be Gerard Martín at left-back and Ferran Torres in the "9" position. The best news is the return of Ter Stegen to the squad, the German is now available after overcoming the patellar tendon injury.
How Real Madrid Arrives
The "merengue" team arrives at this final in a good dynamic, at least in terms of results, as they have returned to the path of victory in the League, 6 out of 6 possible. The elimination in the Champions League and being 4 points behind Barça in the domestic championship makes this title the closest they have. They have reached this final after defeating Deportivo Minera (0-5), Celta (5-2), Leganés (2-3), and Real Sociedad (5-4).
However, neither Carlo Ancelotti nor any of his players have come out to give the pre-match press conference due to some issues with the Federation. Early Friday afternoon, the main referee and VAR of the match expressed their complaints about the RMTV videos. They state that this type of content harms the refereeing group, while the Madrid team has requested that the referees be changed.
While waiting for the match to finally take place, the Italian coach will field a reliable XI with some changes from the League match that won against Getafe. The most significant modification would be Mendy's entry at left-back, recovering from his muscle injury, at the expense of Fran García. On the right side, Valverde is expected to play, Arda Guler would enter the midfield, and the big question is whether they would play with 3 upfront or just with Mbappé + Vinicius.
Match Keys
FormStatesandFavoritism: in a final, there are usually no favorites, however, for this one, Barça does have an advantage because of how they are coming. It can't be denied that Flick's team is better, but one must not forget that Carletto's team is capable of showing their best version on important days. The reaction of both teams when they receive a blow will be crucial, as it would be very strange for either of them not to score.
Bellingham, theBeacon: Jude has become an indispensable player since his arrival in the capital two years ago. From that attacking midfield position, he generates a lot for his team by coming in from the second line and also works hard in defense. He is the typical player who tends to be undetectable in some plays, and in others, he is responsible for setting things up from the back to even finish with a shot.
TheLeftFlank: if there is a position where both teams are weak, it is the left-back. Flick's team doesn't have their starter, a Balde who had regained a great level, while Madrid is struggling with Mendy, Fran García, or Camavinga. Of these three, it seems that the Frenchman will play as a starter, although he is not at 100% and this is a very demanding match.
HistoryorUnbeaten: both coaches are playing for more than just a title, as both can continue making history. The German coach has the chance to win another final, something that has been repeated in all the ones he has played. Meanwhile, the Italian coach can crown himself as the first to win 3 Copa del Rey titles while managing Real Madrid.