Barcelona-Real Madrid: Who will win Copa del Rey final, how should they line up and what should you look out for?

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For the first time since 2014, Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet in the Copa del Rey final at Seville’s Estadio La Cartuja on Saturday.

The mood at each club is very different. Under Hansi Flick, Barca are chasing a third treble in their history, while Carlo Ancelotti’s days as Madrid coach appear to be numbered after his team crashed out of the Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal.

Barca have won both Clasicos so far this season by a combined scoreline of 9-2. But Flick’s team have some key players out through injury and Madrid are desperate to salvage some pride. Both teams will also face each other in La Liga on May 11, with Madrid currently trailing leaders Barca by four points.

Here, our writers give us their thoughts and predictions for the final.

What is each team’s biggest strength?

Pol Ballus (Barcelona): A clear approach which the players embrace and which has been hugely successful throughout the year. Combine that with the attacking power Flick has unleashed and the team spirit he has created, and it is an impressive mix. This is a side hungry for major trophies — starting here.

Mario Cortegana (Real Madrid): There are few strengths on the pitch to highlight given the team’s poor run of form, which perhaps means resorting to the mysticism around the club. As we saw with their failed ‘remontada’ against Arsenal, that is not always enough.

There is a saying in the Spanish capital that “Madrid don’t play finals, they win them” — but please don’t look at the result in January’s Supercopa de Espana final. This week, Ancelotti said he “liked” his team having been cast as the “victims” for this final by some commentators. Madrid are usually at their most dangerous when they are supposedly dead and buried.

What is each team’s biggest weakness?

Laia Cervello Herrero (Barcelona): Flick’s team have been hurt by a lack of concentration at times this season. This is a young team who have occasionally been overconfident against seemingly weaker teams. Although that is unlikely to happen against Madrid, given who their rivals are and a trophy being at stake.

Another issue is Flick’s high defensive line, which allows them to be more attacking but means they take risks at the back. Unforced turnovers could lead to some dangerous counter-attacks from Madrid.

Top-scorer Robert Lewandowski and left-back Alejandro Balde are both out with a hamstring injuries and will be missed. Balde has previously excelled against Madrid and his replacement Gerard Martin does not offer the same kind of attacking runs.

Guillermo Rai (Real Madrid): You might be tempted to say morale after Madrid’s Champions League elimination, but their defence has been the biggest headache for Ancelotti this season.

A lack of intensity, tactical problems and several injuries in the back line have hurt Madrid. Given they lost 4-0 and 5-2 to Barca in La Liga and the Supercopa — the first time Barca had put four goals past them in consecutive games — they will need to do better here.

Madrid lost the first Clasico of the season 4-0 in October (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

How would you assess each club’s season so far?

Laia (Barcelona): It has been excellent. This could change in the crucial final month of competition but Barca’s transformation has been impressive. This was supposed to be a transitional season for Flick after the club’s difficulties in signing and registering players, given their financial difficulties in recent years.

Instead, this young squad are serious contenders for the treble. They are top of La Liga, the favourites in this Copa del Rey final and are into the semi-finals of the Champions League against Inter for the first time in six years. It is quite the turnaround.

Dermot Corrigan (Real Madrid): This campaign has consisted of a series of disappointments and embarrassments for Madrid so far: they have already lost 12 games across all competitions, having only been beaten twice across the whole of last season.

Deep issues of balance and depth within Ancelotti’s squad have been especially clear during heavy defeats in those La Liga and Supercopa Clasicos and in the 5-1 aggregate Champions League defeat to Arsenal.

But there is a pride and togetherness within the group. They eked out wins against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and have just about stuck in the La Liga title race. Now they have a chance to salvage something from the campaign.

Who do you think has been each club’s standout player?

Anantaajith Raghuraman (Barcelona): The front three and centre-back Inigo Martinez are all candidates, but Pedri has been the standout figure.

Without his clarity of thought — be it in passing, pausing or dribbling — Barcelona’s high-intensity system has been overwhelmed. When he plays, their attack and defence look significantly better.

Pedri has been in fine form this season (Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Mario (Real Madrid): No player has been consistent enough for Madrid this term. If I had to pick one, it would probably be goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois or Federico Valverde.

Courtois has saved Madrid’s shaky back line on many occasions, while Valverde has been ever-present and kept the La Liga title race alive last weekend with his fine late strike against Athletic Club.

How much will the two other Clasicos this season impact this one? Will it be more of the same?

Pol (Barcelona): Both Flick and Ancelotti will have those games in mind. But it is hard to see this being another Clasico as one-sided as those ones.

Yes, Barca are likely to dominate possession. And yes, Madrid will be happy with that and wait for chances to hit Flick’s team on the counter. But teams need to be at the peak of their powers to secure a statement win in a Clasico and that does not seem to be the case for either at this stage of the season.

Mario (Real Madrid): If Clasicos are unpredictable, a Clasico final is even more so. But it is not a coincidence that Barca have racked up those heavy scorelines this season; Barca are very comfortable attacking and defending against Madrid, which makes you think that it could have a psychological impact on Ancelotti’s side. The signs do not suggest that Madrid can turn this around.

How important is winning this trophy to each club?

Laia (Barcelona): Very. It is not the most important competition or the most exciting, but it could deal a significant blow to Madrid while setting the foundations for only the third treble in Barca’s history after 2008-09 and 2014-15.

It would also be a significant confidence boost for such a young team before a crucial part of the season, setting things up nicely from a Barca perspective for the second league Clasico of the campaign at their temporary Montjuic home next month.

Guillermo (Real Madrid): If we go back two seasons, Ancelotti won the Copa del Rey and remained in charge despite a Champions League semi-final thrashing by Manchester City and finishing 10 points behind La Liga winners Barcelona. But only lifting the Copa of the major trophies on offer is not considered to be a good season at Madrid (they won the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup earlier this term), and the situation is different this term.

The Athletic has reported that Ancelotti is expected to leave Madrid with a preference to join Brazil. If Madrid lose, Ancelotti knows his departure could be accelerated. If they win, it would simply delay what is seemingly inevitable.

Are each team at full strength?

Pol (Barcelona): No. Barca’s players are tired, Flick has complained multiple times about their recent packed schedule and the way La Liga has set their game times. They will also be missing Lewandowski and Balde — two players who make a major difference to Flick’s system.

Ferran Torres will play up front. As much as the former Manchester City forward has enjoyed an excellent season as a backup striker, he does not possess the hold-up game and the physicality to dominate two centre-backs like Lewandowski. And academy graduate Martin does not provide the same width and physicality as Balde either.

Guillermo (Real Madrid): Results show Madrid are far from their best. Malaise behind the scenes from September and October has translated into a season blighted by injuries, a lack of signings in the summer and a lack of ideas.

But Madrid still have a talented four-star attack in Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham — which gives them a chance.

Mbappe has scored 33 goals this season (M Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images)

What should we look out for from a tactical point of view?

Ananataajith (Barcelona): The high line will come into focus again.

Barcelona caught Madrid offside 12 times in the October Clasico, but Mbappe was able to breach that line to score the opener in the Supercopa final (although they then lost 5-2). Borussia Dortmund, Celta Vigo and to an extent Real Mallorca have experienced some joy against that system in recent weeks.

Runs in behind could be a key factor at the other end too; this is Torres’ strength compared to Lewandowski’s hold-up play. Dani Olmo dropping between the lines and Raphinha drifting inside as usual could cause overloads against Madrid’s midfield, and that is where Barca thrive.

Ananataajith (Real Madrid): Ancelotti’s side have conceded a variety of goals in the two Clasicos this season. Lapses in concentration have played a role, but Barcelona have also played through their press with ease, so Vinicius Jr, Mbappe and Rodrygo will need to step up in that department.

Dani Ceballos did not start either previous meetings and, if that changes on Saturday, Madrid will hope the midfielder offers some solidity to avoid Barca from creating chances at will.

That being said, Madrid allowed Getafe to take 20 shots in midweek, while Barca managed double that tally against Mallorca — both of which are ominous signs for a team that has conceded nine times in two Clasicos.

How should Barcelona line up?

How should Real Madrid line up?

What’s your prediction?

Pol: Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid. Dortmund and Celta have been able to exploit Flick’s high line, so if Madrid have worked on that, they will have chances to score goals. But Barca are in better form overall and I expect these players’ desire for silverware to give them the edge.

Laia: Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid. Barca are not at their best, but Madrid are in very bad shape.

Anantaajith: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid. The previous meetings this season were goalfests, but with the teams fatigued and what is at stake, I expect a tighter game with Barca just about edging it.

Mario: Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid after extra time and the final to be decided on penalties… just don’t ask me who wins.

Guillermo: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid. Although they are not the favourites, Ancelotti has continued to support his players at the worst moment of the season and they can give him what could be a final trophy in charge of Madrid.

Dermot: Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid after extra time. This could be a thriller, with both teams stronger in attack than defence, but Barca’s greater confidence and momentum should see them through in the end.

(Top photos: Getty Images)

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