The latest edition of El Clasico takes center stage at Estadio de La Cartuja on Saturday night, with silverware and bragging rights on the line. Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the final of the Copa del Rey, where history, pride, and pressure all collide.
For Barcelona, it’s a shot at a second trophy in a season full of promise. For Madrid, it’s about redemption after their Champions League collapse.
Barcelona: A New Era Rising
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona have surprised almost everyone this season. The German tactician has blended youth, structure, and belief into a side chasing a potential quadruple.
With the Spanish Super Cup already in the bag, a place in the Champions League semi-final, and a four-point lead in La Liga, this final offers a chance to add another major piece of silverware to their collection.
Barcelona come into this clash unbeaten in domestic competition since December. They also boast a recent 5-2 win over Madrid in the Super Cup final and a commanding 4-0 league victory at the Bernabeu. Momentum and confidence are clearly on their side.
Real Madrid: A Fight to Stay Relevant
For Carlo Ancelotti, the stakes could not be higher. After a humiliating 5-1 Champions League defeat to Arsenal, pressure has mounted and speculation over his future has intensified.
With the league slipping away and no European competition left, the Copa del Rey suddenly holds far more weight than expected.
Madrid have history in their favor, having won four of seven Copa finals against Barcelona, and they beat them 4-0 in the most recent cup meeting. But this time, they face a team in full flight, while internal doubts and looming managerial changes hang over the squad.
Team News
Barcelona will be without top scorer Robert Lewandowski, who remains sidelined with a hamstring issue. Ferran Torres is expected to lead the line. Alejandro Balde also misses out, so Gerard Martin steps in at left-back.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is fit again but Wojciech Szczesny will likely start in goal. In defence, Pau Cubarsi returns, with Ronald Araujo potentially missing out. Fermin Lopez may start over Dani Olmo, while Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde return to the starting eleven.
Real Madrid will be without Eduardo Camavinga, who is out for the rest of the season with an adductor injury. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain long-term absentees. Kylian Mbappe has recovered from an ankle injury and is expected to start. Fran Garcia comes in at left-back, while Rodrygo will feature from the start, as confirmed by Ancelotti.
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona:
Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Martin; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, F. Lopez, Raphinha; Torres
Real Madrid:
Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, F. Garcia; Tchouameni, Valverde; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe
Match Info
- Competition: Copa del Rey – Final
- Date: Saturday, April 27
- Kickoff: 9:00 PM (local time)
- Venue: Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville
- Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
What’s at Stake
For Barcelona, this is another opportunity to underline their dominance and move closer to one of the most successful seasons in club history. Winning here would mark their third Clasico victory of the season and secure a second major trophy under Flick.
For Real Madrid, it is a lifeline. A win could quiet the noise, delay managerial changes, and give fans something tangible from a chaotic campaign. A loss, however, might mark the end of Ancelotti’s second spell in charge.
