The upcoming Copa del Rey final marks the third El Clasico encounter this season. While opportunities have been plentiful for both sides, a clear theme has emerged from their previous meetings: Barcelona`s undeniable dominance.
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona hasn`t just won the previous two Clasicos, but they`ve done so convincingly. This season has showcased a remarkable resurgence for the team, benefiting from the emergence of young talent like Lamine Yamal and, perhaps surprisingly, getting top performances from experienced players like Robert Lewandowski and especially Raphinha. Although Lewandowski, their leading scorer with 40 goals across all competitions this season, will miss the final due to injury, the team`s other key players are expected to feature, ensuring a competitive match.
In contrast, this season`s El Clasicos have highlighted unexpected weaknesses in Real Madrid`s star-studded squad. Following last season`s triumphs in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the high-profile arrival of Kylian Mbappe in the summer was widely expected to extend their period of dominance. Instead, issues that might have been masked by success last season seem to have caught up with Real Madrid this time around, leaving them somewhat disadvantaged heading into the Copa del Rey final. However, with significant silverware at stake, the match could potentially be much closer and more fiercely contested than the previous two editions.
Ahead of this latest installment of football`s most storied rivalry, let`s revisit the Clasicos played earlier in the season.
October 26, 2024: Real Madrid 0, Barcelona 4
Barcelona started the season strongly, and late October provided two crucial tests of their title credentials: a UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich followed three days later by El Clasico. They passed both brilliantly. After a commanding 4-1 win against Bayern at home, they delivered a stunning 4-0 victory at Real Madrid`s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. This match perfectly exemplified Barcelona`s success under Hansi Flick this season, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice and Lamine Yamal and Raphinha adding one goal each. It also highlighted Real Madrid`s struggles, notably with star forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe failing to make an impact. Mbappe`s initial period in the Spanish capital, including this game, has not been smooth, as evidenced by recent fan reactions.
This decisive win was significant in the La Liga title race at the time, giving Barcelona a six-point advantage over Real Madrid.
January 12, 2025: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 5
The clubs met again in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the final of the Spanish Super Cup. Despite Kylian Mbappe giving Madrid an early lead five minutes into the match, Barcelona mounted a swift comeback and established a dominant 4-1 lead by halftime with goals from Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde. Raphinha scored his second shortly after the break, extending Barcelona`s lead and giving them enough cushion to survive the red card shown to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the 56th minute. Although Rodrygo scored for Real Madrid from the subsequent free kick, it wasn`t enough to change the direction of the game, and Barcelona secured another comfortable win.
Looking Ahead
Saturday`s Clasico in the Copa del Rey final is a more elevated occasion than the previous meetings because of the silverware directly at stake. It represents the first major trophy either side could win this season, and potentially the only one for Real Madrid, who are not currently favored in the La Liga title race. While Barcelona is still competing in both the league and the Champions League, neither trophy is yet guaranteed.
There is one final Clasico scheduled for May 11 in Barcelona. This match could hold significant implications for the conclusion of the La Liga title race, with only three league games set to follow it.
