Real Madrid`s season trajectory and Barcelona`s ambition for a historic treble are finely balanced as the two titans prepare to clash in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. With the season accelerating towards its climax, both squads face significant challenges posed by injuries, impacting their potential starting elevens.
Barcelona will be notably weakened by the absence of key players Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has recently sustained new injuries to David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga. Adding a significant twist, the club has surprisingly confirmed that star forward Kylian Mbappe will not be in the starting lineup for the match.
Both head coaches have navigated the complexities of managing numerous injuries throughout the season while striving for peak team performance. However, with a major trophy at stake, their lineup decisions carry even greater weight. We had a glimpse of Barcelona operating without Lewandowski in their recent 1-0 victory over Mallorca.
Hansi Flick`s side registered a remarkable 40 shots in that fixture but struggled with their clinical finishing. While this might seem concerning, the fact that players like Raphinha were rested suggests it`s not a fundamental issue. One particularly encouraging aspect was the dynamic interplay observed between Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.
It was often difficult for the defense to predict their roles, as they fluidly interchanged between striking and midfield positions, keeping opponents guessing. Introducing Lamine Yamal and Raphinha into this mix could create a formidable challenge for Madrid`s somewhat depleted defense to contain. Pedri`s excellent form anchors the midfield behind them, highlighting a key area Real Madrid will need to focus on.
Federico Valverde is expected to play a crucial role in monitoring Pedri`s influence. However, the absence of Camavinga is a significant setback for Madrid. Camavinga`s versatility in midfield and his ability to cover defensively make him vital. Despite discussions about moving on from veterans like Luka Modric, the 39-year-old Croatian remains a key figure, having featured in 30 league games this season. He is expected to be fresh and ready for this final after a full week of rest.
The other major storyline is, of course, the unexpected omission of Kylian Mbappe from the start. His much-anticipated arrival was expected to usher in an era of dominance for Real Madrid, but it has arguably introduced some imbalance into the attack. While he has had moments of prolific goal-scoring, the pieces haven`t fully aligned for him on the sport`s biggest stages at Madrid yet. Barcelona`s high defensive line aims to catch forwards offside, and Mbappe`s pace would have been ideal for stretching that back line, creating space for Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior. Without him, questions remain about which player will step up in attack alongside Vini Jr.
Based on current circumstances, things appear slightly more favorable for Barcelona in their pursuit of the treble. However, this does not rule out a Real Madrid victory. They will simply need to deliver a significantly improved attacking performance compared to their recent match against Arsenal.
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona:
- Wojciech Szczesny
- Jules Kounde
- Ronald Araujo
- Pau Cubarsi
- Inigo Martinez
- Pedri
- Gavi
- 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 Information & Odds
- Date: Saturday, April 26
- Location: Estadio Olimpico de Sevilla — Sevilla, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Barcelona +120; Draw +290; Real Madrid +200
