This Saturday, a new champion will be crowned in the Copa del Rey as Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in the final. Although the two teams are heading in different directions currently, anything can happen in a rivalry match with a trophy at stake. Barcelona seeks to kickstart their potential treble campaign, aiming to add to their record 31 titles in this competition. Meanwhile, Real Madrid needs to secure this victory against their rivals to salvage their season.
With Carlo Ancelotti`s tenure as Real Madrid boss potentially nearing its end, winning this final and reclaiming La Liga from their rivals would be a high note to conclude on. This is a challenging task, especially as Barcelona will be without their star player, Robert Lewandowski, presenting Hansi Flick with lineup dilemmas. Having Lamine Yamal and Raphinha available eases these concerns, but Real Madrid also boasts star players, though their attack hasn`t always been as fluid as Barcelona`s. However, a final can be the moment when everything clicks, and Real Madrid will be hoping this is the case, as it could be the defining factor in who lifts the trophy.
Mbappe vs. Barcelona`s High Defensive Line
This final will be a clash of contrasting styles. Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona will push high and press, maintaining a high defensive line. Real Madrid`s star forward, Kylian Mbappe, will look to exploit the space behind the defense. This tactical difference sets the stage for a direct conflict. While Barcelona`s high line can concede chances, Mbappe is often caught offside due to his timing. This is where Real Madrid`s wingers need to step up. If Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior can make penetrating runs over the top, they can break down Barcelona`s defense and create winning opportunities. Without Alejandro Balde, Barcelona`s defense may lack some pace, which Real Madrid could potentially exploit.
Barcelona`s Attack Without Lewandowski
Without a traditional central striker like Lewandowski, Barcelona`s attack will likely have a different look, with Ferran Torres potentially leading the line. Although he didn`t score against Mallorca, he was part of an attack that registered an astonishing 40 shots, even with Raphinha rested. By interchanging positions with players like Dani Olmo, Torres can help orchestrate an attack that is difficult for Madrid`s defenders to track. With the inclusion of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, Barcelona`s offense has plenty of tools to challenge Real Madrid. Unlike the match against Mallorca, Barcelona will need to ensure their shots come from better positions in the final. However, even if they manage around 30 attempts, it could spell significant trouble for Los Blancos.
Handling the Pressure
With Barcelona pursuing a treble despite missing their key striker, and Real Madrid attempting to rescue their season from disappointment, pressure would be inherent in this match even without a trophy involved. Adding the final`s stakes elevates the pressure cooker environment for both sides. Both teams have demonstrated mental resilience at times, but recently, this edge seems to favor Barcelona. Given that Real Madrid even publicly requested a change of referees for the match, signs of cracking under pressure might already be visible.
