Real Madrid entered Saturday's Cup final against Barcelona's losers.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have already suffered two heavy blows in the hands of Catalan rivals this season – a 4-0 victory in the Spanish Super Cup 5-2 in the league clash with Santiago Bernabeu – while they are four points behind La Liga.
So, is this the conclusion Blaugrana will make to it in three thirds of the situation?
not necessarily. Barcelona is not reliable, we have identified five areas, and if Madrid can be correct, this may be problematic for Hansi Flick and Co..
😍âeStáPrecioso!
🏟️𝗘𝗹𝗘𝗹𝗟𝗮𝗟𝗮𝗟𝗮𝗟𝗮𝗟𝗮 #copadelreymapfre.
Rugirán Desdesus Gradas.#lacopamola pic.twitter.com/ctibxdkv12
– RFEF (@RFEF) April 24, 2025
The energy of the midfield
As usual, the key to Federico Valverde is. Ancelotti seems to give up one of the “Fab Four” and most likely Rodrygo and strengthen the midfield area.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos and veteran Luka Modric are both excellent players, but neither of them has the athleticism and energy of Valved.
There is an obvious temptation to play him in the right back in response to the Rafenha threat, but that limits his impact. Ancelotti not only wants to be a spoiler, but also has to play him in his natural position and let him relax with people like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
Hey Jude, it's time to deliver
Jude Bellingham earned Madrid's first man-select reputation in the Santiago Bernabeu, with England midfielder consistently showing up with significant goals.
In all matches, he scored 23 goals and 13 assists in 43 matches and played a key role in Madrid winning doubles in La Liga and Champions League.
This season is not impressive for the club and the players. He still has a very respected 13 goals and 13 assists in 46 games, but has been working hard to influence the game in recent weeks.
Behind the Kylian Mbappe and Jr Vinicius JR, there are potential places where dangers are encountered on the floor and in the air, operating behind the range of the Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.
🛡️ @tonirouediger
👊 @BellingHamjude pic.twitter.com/lqwaux99li– Real Madrid CF🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@RealMadriden) April 24, 2025
Inexperienced defense in Barcelona
If there is a field where Madrid looks strong, it is attack.
In Mbappe and Vinicius JR, the Capital Club has the pace, deception and eyes that bother with any defense.
Even at full strength, Barcelona is not a rock solid. They lost 32 goals in 33 Liga games, the most in the first four games, with more than 12 Getafe.
With Alejandro Balde injured, the relatively inexperienced Gerard Martin may start at left back, from 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi.
Barcelona scored three goals against Celta Vigo and Dortmund before defeating Real Mallorca 1-0 in the mid-week.
Take advantage of Lewandowski's absence
Barcelona may not have a few players, which will not affect the strength of the lineup. Robert Lewandowski is not one of them.
The veteran remains one of the best nine players in the world football game, as his 40 goals in 48 games this season suggest.
His possible successor, Ferran Torres, shows he is a good backup, but Barcelona's main threat is likely to come in the form of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Lewandowski's absence means more focus can be tried to stop Barcelona's Winged Wizard.
👉r⚽dryg⚽
🏆Copa del Rey Finals 2022/23
✍️ @rodrygogoes pic.twitter.com/e5h4jl4joy– Real Madrid CF🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@RealMadriden) April 24, 2025
Madrid “just find a way”
Few people can match Real Madrid when completing the game on large occasions. They have a halo, especially in the finals.
They won the last nine Champions League finals of their competition and have not lost since 1980-81, when the game was still known as the European Cup.
They participated in five FIFA Club World Cup finals and won all the matches.
They also won three of the three finals of the last four Cups.
It's a coveted record, and if recorded correctly, serial winners like Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe gain all the experience.
