Real Madrid fought back to secure a 4-4 draw in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Sociedad on Tuesday. Antonio Rudiger`s goal ensured their progression to the final with a 5-4 aggregate victory. Carlo Ancelotti`s team is set to face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the final. However, the match against Real Sociedad raised questions about their readiness for the final, as they had to recover from behind four times.
Known for their ability to bounce back, Real Madrid`s resilience is well-documented. Yet, this game felt different due to repeated defensive lapses. David Alaba scored an own goal and narrowly avoided another, while Eduardo Camavinga struggled at left-back. The match highlighted the need for reliable squad depth as Los Blancos prepare to compete in both La Liga and the Champions League. They are scheduled to play Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals, with matches against Valencia, Alaves, and two legs against Arsenal between April 5th and 16th. Arsenal also has their own challenges to overcome.
Real Madrid should typically win their La Liga matches even with squad rotation. However, recent performances suggest that their squad depth might not be as strong as previously believed. They faced difficulties against Leganes recently, and many reserve players struggled to make a positive impact in the Copa del Rey match until key starters were brought on to stabilize the game.
Chaotic Match Summary
Real Sociedad took an early lead in the 16th minute through Ander Barrenetxea. Endrick equalized for Madrid with a skillful finish in the first half. However, Madrid`s defense was again caught off guard. Alaba`s own goal was quickly followed by a goal from Mikel Oyarzabal. Real Madrid responded swiftly, with Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni scoring goals within four minutes to regain the lead. But Oyarzabal scored again in the 93rd minute, forcing the game to extra time. Rudiger`s goal ultimately prevented a penalty shootout, but the match intensified concerns about Real Madrid`s overall capabilities.
La Liga Title Aspirations
Competing on multiple fronts requires Ancelotti to effectively utilize his entire squad due to the high volume of games. However, relying on squad players could lead to dropped points. Real Madrid has conceded goals in their last seven matches, and the absence of Thibaut Courtois, with Andriy Lunin replacing him, further weakens the defense. Trailing Barcelona by three points in La Liga, Real Madrid needs to conserve key players for the Champions League. Despite this, players like Kylian Mbappe, Rudiger, and Brahim Diaz had to be substituted into the Copa del Rey match, while Fede Valverde, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Tchouameni played the full 120 minutes, potentially impacting their availability for the weekend.
Balancing priorities is crucial. While Real Madrid aims for Champions League success, it presents a difficult situation. Having already secured a place in the Copa del Rey final, the possibility of a treble is alive. However, with Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal sidelined for the rest of the season, the defense is stretched thin. Defensive vulnerabilities could be the biggest obstacle to their title ambitions.
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid will host Valencia on Saturday, aiming to take sole possession of the top spot in La Liga. Real Sociedad`s next game is on Sunday against Las Palmas. Playing against Las Palmas, who are in the relegation zone, offers Real Sociedad an opportunity to move closer to European qualification despite a challenging season.
