Real Madrid`s campaign and Barcelona`s pursuit of a treble trophy are on the line as the two Spanish giants prepare to clash in the Copa del Rey final this Saturday. As the season nears its climax, both squads are facing significant injury challenges that will impact their starting selections for this crucial encounter. Barcelona will be missing key players Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski, while Real Madrid has recently added David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga to their injury list.
Throughout the season, both head coaches have had to manage numerous injuries while striving to maintain peak team performance. Now, with silverware at stake, their lineup choices carry even greater weight. We got a recent look at Barcelona`s attack without Lewandowski in their narrow 1-0 victory against Mallorca. Despite taking 40 shots in that match, Hansi Flick`s squad struggled to find their finishing touch. However, with players like Raphinha rested, this lack of cutting edge might not be a major concern for the final. A notable positive from the Mallorca game was the dynamic interaction between Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.
It was challenging to distinguish between the roles of striker and midfielder as Olmo and Torres constantly interchanged positions, keeping the opposing defense guessing about their movements. Adding Lamine Yamal and Raphinha to this mix could pose a significant challenge for Madrid`s somewhat depleted defense. Pedri`s exceptional season in midfield, dictating the tempo behind the attackers, will be a key area for Real Madrid to control.
Federico Valverde will likely be tasked with monitoring Pedri, but the absence of Eduardo Camavinga is a significant blow for Madrid. Camavinga`s versatility in midfield, capable of dropping into defensive roles when needed, makes him a vital component of Real Madrid`s setup. However, this cup final is expected to see the return of veteran Luka Modric. After a full week of rest, the 39-year-old Croatian is anticipated to be fresh and ready to play a crucial role precisely when his team needs him most.
Although Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni were brought in partly to transition away from Modric, the experienced midfielder continues to defy expectations, featuring in 30 league appearances for Los Blancos this season. His influence will be vital if Real Madrid are to claim this trophy. Yet, the potentially most impactful returnee in attack is Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe`s arrival was envisioned to usher in a new era of triumphs for Real Madrid, but it has sometimes led to an imbalance in their attacking structure. While he has demonstrated periods of prolific goalscoring, his contribution hasn`t always fully clicked on the biggest stages for Madrid yet. Given Barcelona`s tendency to use a high defensive line to catch forwards offside, Mbappe is particularly susceptible to this tactic. Therefore, his ability to time his runs effectively while Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior operate around him will be a critical factor in determining the outcome of the match.
On paper, the dynamics seem to favor Barcelona in their pursuit of the treble. However, this does not preclude Real Madrid from winning; they will simply need to deliver a much more effective attacking performance than they did in their recent match against Arsenal.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Francisco Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Lucas Vazquez, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe
