The highly anticipated Copa del Rey final on Saturday marks the third El Clasico showdown this season, and arguably the most crucial. While both sides have had numerous opportunities throughout the campaign, one consistent theme has been Barcelona`s emphatic dominance in the previous two matches.
Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Barcelona hasn`t just won the previous two Clasicos; they`ve done so by significant margins. This season`s encounters have truly showcased Barcelona`s revival under the new manager. Flick has skillfully leveraged the emergence of Lamine Yamal and, perhaps more surprisingly, has consistently brought out the best in Robert Lewandowski and particularly Raphinha.
Though Lewandowski, Barcelona`s top scorer with 40 goals across all competitions this season, will unfortunately miss the Copa del Rey final due to injury, the availability of other key stars is expected to keep the team highly competitive on Saturday.
In contrast, this season`s El Clasico clashes have exposed surprising weaknesses in a Real Madrid squad otherwise packed with stars. Despite lifting La Liga and UEFA Champions League trophies last season and adding Kylian Mbappe in the summer, aiming to extend their era of dominance, the imperfections hidden during last season`s success seem to have resurfaced this time, putting Real Madrid on the back foot heading into the final.
However, with a significant trophy at stake, the final could potentially spark a battle far more intense and competitive than the previous two encounters.
Previous Encounters and Final Details
Ahead of this highly anticipated final, here`s a look back at the season`s Clasicos and key details for the upcoming match:
Copa del Rey Final Details:
- Date: Sunday, April 26
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio de La Cartuja — Seville, Spain
- Odds: Barcelona +105; Draw +280; Real Madrid +200
Match Recap: October 26, 2024
Real Madrid 0, Barcelona 4
Barcelona initiated their season strongly, facing a crucial test in late October: a Champions League match against Bayern Munich followed by El Clasico just three days later. They passed both with distinction, first defeating Bayern 4-1 at home, then securing a resounding 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
This encounter epitomized Barcelona`s form under Hansi Flick, with Robert Lewandowski netting twice and Lamine Yamal and Raphinha each adding a goal. Conversely, it highlighted Real Madrid`s difficulties, as key forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe failed to make an impact. Mbappe`s challenging start in the Spanish capital included this game, and recent reactions suggest a lack of positive connection with the fans, evidenced by whistles witnessed in Madrid.
Barcelona`s dominant win also significantly impacted the La Liga title race at the time, establishing a six-point advantage over Real Madrid.
Match Recap: January 12, 2025
Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 5
The rivals met again in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the Spanish Super Cup final, where Barcelona once more emerged victorious. Kylian Mbappe gave Real Madrid an early lead within five minutes, but Barcelona quickly responded, building a commanding 4-1 lead by halftime through goals from Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde.
Raphinha extended the lead shortly after the break. Barcelona maintained a sufficient advantage despite Wojciech Szczesny`s red card in the 56th minute. Although Rodrygo scored from the resulting free kick, it wasn`t enough to alter the match`s outcome, cementing another comprehensive win for Barcelona.
Looking Ahead: Copa del Rey Final and Beyond
Saturday`s Clasico carries heightened importance due to the silverware at stake. The Copa del Rey is the first major trophy either club can secure this season, and it might potentially be the only one for either side. Real Madrid currently trails in the La Liga title race, while Barcelona, although still competing in the league and Champions League, faces uncertainty regarding their chances in those competitions.
One final Clasico is scheduled for May 11 at Barcelona, which could play a significant role in the La Liga title picture with only three league matches remaining after that encounter.
Dominic Ashworth