Match Preview : Barça VS Real Madrid – Copa Del Rey Final

As we near the end of what has been a very long and draining season, we prepare to take part in the biggest game of the season so far. Tonight, live from Seville at 10pm local time. On a Saturday night, its the final of the Copa Del Rey.

For the first time since the greatest of all time, Leo Messi, left our club, we are back in the final of the copa del Rey, this time against our eternal rivals, Real Madrid. El Clasico.

There’s been a lot of noise surrounding this game, especially in the last 24 hours. With Real not only attacking the reputation of the referees, but even threatening not turning up for the final. In a bizarre run of events just to add to the tensions before what is already a huge game. These 2 teams and this fixture needs no introduction, so lets jump straight into the match preview.

A Quick Look at our opponents:

As I’ve just touched upon, our opponents for tonight need no introduction. It’s Real Madrid. Our fiercest and closest rivals. They have had an interesting season, with more attention and drama off the field than on the pitch itself.

When it comes to the team itself, they will have a few absentees including Camavinga and there are also doubts about the presence of Mbappe after he picked up an injury against Arsenal. He should, in all honesty, be suspended for the game tonight following a ridiculous challenge on another player away at Alaves only a few weeks ago. But somehow, he managed to avoid a lengthy suspension and has only been out so far for one game. Of course, he is a massive player for Madrid as well as many others, especially in the forward areas, but they also have the expertise in midfield too.

We know all about them, we’ve seen them all season long, we’ve faced them twice already and those are the experiences we need to build on. To use that to our advantage. No matter the for, Clasico games are always so tense and tricky to call. So lets see how we could possibly lineup.

Predicted lineup:

When it comes to the lineup for us coming into the game, there is still no Balde. And no Lewandowski either. Which are two huge losses for the team. Especially Balde. As good as Fort was in midweek against Mallorca, both him and Martin cant replace Balde. He’s one of the best in his position and his impact on the team is noticeable, especially with him being absent. That is the one part of the team that worries me coming into tonight’s game. It will most likely be Martin starting at left back and he’s simply not good enough. Madrid will target that side of defence meaning Raphinha will have to help him out.

Frenkie and Kounde both rested in midweek, so they’ll most likely return. With Ferran playing as our number 9, and Dani Olmo just in behind.

Ronald Araujo is famed for being able to hold down Vinicius, but for tonight’s game, I think Flick will opt to go for Cubarsi and Iñigo. Araujo has in fairness handled his situation brilliantly, being a key player in the squad be that starting or off the bench. But i think its clear that the Cubarsi and Iñigo duo is the preferred one. 

My starting lineup:

Tek

Kounde- Cubarsi- Iñigo- Martin

Pedri- Frenkie

Yamal- Olmo- Raphinha

Ferran

Ryan Edwards