Spanish football’s most famous rivalry is set to reach new heights as Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare to face off in the 2025 Copa del Rey final this Saturday. The match, taking place at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the biggest clubs in the world, with silverware on the line and a chance to shift the momentum in their respective seasons.
For Barcelona, under the guidance of Hansi Flick, this match could mark the first step toward an extraordinary treble in his debut season. The Catalan giants currently sit atop La Liga, are into the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, and are just one win away from domestic cup glory. Barcelona leads Real Madrid by four points in La Liga with five matches remaining and has already defeated their rivals twice this season by an aggregate score of 9-2.
According to the Opta supercomputer, Barcelona is favored to win the final, boasting a 40.7% chance of victory in 90 minutes, compared to Real Madrid's 32.8% chance. The probability of a draw, which would lead to extra time, stands at 26.5%. This statistical insight reflects Barcelona's dominance in their recent encounters, including a resounding 4-0 victory at the Bernabéu in La Liga and a 5-2 triumph in the Supercopa de España final earlier this season.
Barcelona's momentum continued midweek with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mallorca, where Dani Olmo scored the only goal. The team attempted a staggering 40 shots during the match, equaling the record for the most in a La Liga game since the 2003-04 season. However, the injury status of star striker Robert Lewandowski casts a shadow over their preparations. The Polish forward, who has netted 40 goals in 48 appearances this season, missed the Mallorca match due to a hamstring injury sustained in a previous game against Celta Vigo and remains a major doubt for the final.
In Lewandowski's absence, Ferran Torres is expected to lead the line. The Spanish international has enjoyed a breakout season, scoring 10 goals in La Liga, and his pace could be crucial against a Real Madrid defense that has struggled this season.
On the other hand, Real Madrid also faces its own injury concerns. Kylian Mbappé, who has scored 33 goals in his debut campaign with the club, is racing against time to be fit for the final after suffering an ankle injury in the Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal. Despite missing the last two matches, he is expected to pass a late fitness test. Additionally, Ferland Mendy's availability is uncertain, but both players are crucial to Madrid's hopes of turning the tide against Barcelona.
Real Madrid secured their place in the final with a dramatic 5-4 aggregate win over Real Sociedad, needing extra time to clinch their spot. Their recent form includes a narrow 1-0 victory over Getafe, with Arda Güler scoring the decisive goal. However, Madrid's season has been marked by inconsistency, with the team suffering heavy defeats to Barcelona in both the La Liga and Supercopa clashes, raising questions about Carlo Ancelotti's future as head coach.
As the final approaches, the atmosphere surrounding the match has been charged with controversy. The referee for the game, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, recently expressed the emotional toll that criticism from Madrid's in-house TV channel has had on him, leading to a strongly worded statement from the club. Despite this, Madrid insists they never considered withdrawing from the final.
Historically, this will be the 37th meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, with Barcelona leading the head-to-head record 16-13, alongside eight draws. The Catalan club is the competition's most decorated side, having lifted the trophy 31 times, while Madrid ranks third with 20 victories.
The stakes are incredibly high for both teams. A victory for Barcelona would not only secure their second trophy of the season after the Supercopa but also bolster their confidence as they aim for a potential treble. Defender Ronald Araujo highlighted the team's remarkable turnaround this season, stating, "Back in the summer, I couldn't have imagined we'd be in this position." Meanwhile, a win for Madrid could revive their season and provide a much-needed boost to morale, especially with a crucial La Liga Clasico looming on May 11.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, both teams are preparing for what promises to be an electrifying encounter. The final will not only serve as a decisive moment in this season's Copa del Rey but also set the tone for the remainder of their campaigns. With both teams eager to claim bragging rights and silverware, fans can expect a thrilling display of football.
Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. CET local time, which translates to 4 p.m. ET in the United States and 9 p.m. BST in the UK. Fans across the globe can catch the action live, with the match being broadcast on ESPN+ in the US and Premier Sports 1 in the UK. This El Clasico promises to be a monumental clash, as both clubs seek to etch their names in the history books once again.
