The outcome of Real Madrid`s season and Barcelona`s bid for a treble are on the line as the two giants collide in the Copa del Rey final this Saturday. With the season drawing to a close and matches coming thick and fast, both squads are grappling with significant injury concerns that will impact their team selections. Barcelona will be without Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski, while Real Madrid recently added David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga to their injury list. In a surprising move, Real Madrid announced that star striker Kylian Mbappé would not feature in the starting eleven.
Both managers have had to balance managing numerous injuries with extracting the best performance from their teams throughout the campaign. However, with a major trophy at stake, their tactical decisions and lineup choices now hold even greater significance. We recently saw Barcelona`s attack without Lewandowski when they faced Mallorca, a match they won 1-0. Hansi Flick`s side managed 40 shots but struggled to find a clinical finish. This might not be a huge concern, particularly as key players like Raphinha were rested during that game. One positive takeaway from that match was the dynamic interchange observed between Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.
Their movement made it challenging to discern who was playing as the central forward and who was in a midfield role, constantly keeping the opposition defense guessing their positions. Introducing Lamine Yamal and Raphinha into this mix could create significant headaches for Madrid`s injury-affected backline. Pedri is enjoying an excellent season, dictating the tempo from midfield, and he represents a key area for Madrid to concentrate on defensively.
Federico Valverde is expected to be assigned the task, at least in part, of marking Pedri. However, the absence of Camavinga is a blow. Camavinga is a versatile midfielder capable of dropping into defensive roles when needed, making him a crucial component of Madrid`s structure. This cup final, however, will likely call upon the experience of Luka Modrić. The 39-year-old Croatian maestro is expected to be fresh for the match, having been fully rested during the week, arriving just when his presence is most required.
Despite discussions about a potential transition away from Modrić involving players like Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni, the veteran continues to defy expectations. He has appeared in 30 league matches for Los Blancos this season, underscoring his enduring importance to the squad.
The other major surprise, of course, is Mbappé`s omission. His arrival at the club was anticipated to usher in a new era of silverware, but instead, it has introduced a degree of imbalance to the forward line. While he has certainly had spells of prolific goalscoring, his impact hasn`t consistently aligned to deliver success on the biggest stages for Madrid just yet. Barcelona typically employs a high defensive line, aiming to catch opposing forwards offside. Mbappé`s blistering pace would have been an ideal tool to exploit this tactic and stretch their defense, creating space for players like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior to operate around him. Without him, the question remains who will step up to provide the necessary attacking threat alongside Vini Jr.
Based on current form and circumstances, things appear to slightly favor Barcelona in their quest for a treble. However, this does not preclude Real Madrid from winning the tie. For that to happen, they will need to significantly improve their offensive performance compared to their recent showing against Arsenal.
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
Announced Lineups
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Lucas Vazquez, Aurelian Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, April 26
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Olimpico de Sevilla — Sevilla, Spain
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Barcelona +120; Draw +290; Real Madrid +200
Dominic Ashworth