Following FC Barcelona`s hard-fought 3-2 victory against Real Madrid in a dramatic 120-minute Copa del Rey final, attention now turns to the future of both clubs. At Real Madrid, the defeat casts further doubt on the position of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who, despite winning 15 trophies during his tenure, seems increasingly likely to depart. Real Madrid faces the prospect of ending the 2024-25 season without silverware, a scenario that could prompt club president Florentino Perez to seek a new manager this summer. Here`s a breakdown of the key takeaways from the Copa del Rey final:
Hansi Flick`s Impressive Start Continues
In stark contrast, FC Barcelona is delighted with their decision to appoint former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick in the summer of 2024. In his inaugural season, Flick has already secured two trophies for the Blaugrana – the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, both achieved by defeating Real Madrid in the respective finals. Barcelona currently leads the La Liga standings with a four-point advantage over their rivals. The two giants are set to meet again on May 11 in Barcelona for what promises to be a highly anticipated league clash. Additionally, Barcelona will host Inter mid-week for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Potentially, Flick could join Pep Guardiola as the only manager to win the treble (league, domestic cup, Champions League) with two different clubs.
The Pre-Match Referee Controversy
The day before the Copa del Rey final, Real Madrid canceled their scheduled open training, press conference, and club dinner. According to reports from Radio Marca, they also formally requested the replacement of the appointed referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, and VAR official, Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes. Bengoetxea publicly addressed the significant abuse he had received regarding his appointment, including criticism from Real Madrid`s own television channel, noting that children at his child`s school had echoed accusations, calling him a `thief`. Real Madrid later issued an official statement reinforcing their demand for a change in officials ahead of the match.
During the final itself, the referee maintained a composed demeanor and largely controlled the game effectively. However, just before extra time commenced, Bengoetxea initially awarded a penalty to Barcelona after Raul Asencio`s challenge on Raphinha, a decision subsequently overturned by VAR. The final moments of the match saw another incident: immediately after Jules Kounde scored the decisive winning goal, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, who had been substituted earlier by Ancelotti, appeared to throw an object towards the referee and was shown a red card. Post-match, Ancelotti offered `no comments` when asked about the refereeing.
Is Ancelotti`s Era Concluding?
The loss in the Copa del Rey final has intensified speculation regarding Carlo Ancelotti`s future at Real Madrid. There are persistent reports of interest from the Brazilian national team, who are reportedly keen on appointing him as their new manager. While Real Madrid remains mathematically in contention for the La Liga title, the four-point deficit to Barcelona presents a significant challenge. Should the season conclude without any major trophies, it would mark an uncharacteristic and potentially unsatisfactory end to what has otherwise been a remarkably successful period, including two UEFA Champions League titles and 15 trophies overall. While Florentino Perez`s ultimate decision remains unconfirmed, there is a growing sentiment that Ancelotti`s cycle at the club is drawing to a close after achieving so much.
Dominic Ashworth