It is well known that Real Madrid’s fetish relationship is with the Champions League, but despite not having the best ‘relationship’ with the Copa del Rey, the Whites have a few titles to their name. The club arrives at the final at La Cartuja not only with the ambition of adding another cup to its trophy cabinet, but also with the weight of facing Barça, who are no strangers to these kinds of matches.
Real Madrid reached the coveted final after a crazy game in which everything happened. Real started by equalizing the tie, but Endrick responded with an imperial equalizer. When everything seemed under control for Madrid in the second half, they suddenly found themselves behind in the tie, 1-3, 2-3 on aggregate. Madrid equalized in five crazy minutes, but Real took the lead once again. Rüdiger sealed the deal in extra time and Madrid is in the final.
It will be a final that will decide the winner. The Whites have already played 40 finals, with a record of 20 titles and 20 defeats, so this, the 41st, will be the final that decides the winner. In addition, Ancelotti will be looking to become the only Madrid coach with three cup titles in Seville.
Ancelotti clears up his doubts
Ancelotti tried out a new formation against Athletic in the final, and although he gave nothing away in the post-match press conference, it looks like it will be the one he goes with. Mbappé was the big absentee due to suspension (and injury) in the match against Athletic, and Ancelotti reverted to the traditional 4-4-2 formation that won him the league and the Champions League last season. It was surprising that his “favorite system is 4-4-2 because we defend better.”
He then clarified his response: “It doesn’t mean I have to play with four midfielders. We’ve played with this system many times. We have wingers like Rodrygo and Vinicius who play on the wing and sometimes play in midfield.” Ancelotti gave no clues as to what he is thinking ahead of next Saturday’s final against Barcelona. “We have time to prepare for the final. This victory is good for us because it has given us a little more momentum.”
Last-minute setback
This week against Getafe, Ancelotti lost two players for the final. Alaba’s injury is not serious, in principle, but he will not be available for the Cup final. Neither will Camavinga, who has suffered a serious injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season. “Fran García is the only option I have.” Ancelotti was clear in his post-match press conference when talking about the line-up for the Copa del Rey final. With Alaba and Camavinga injured, and Mendy a doubt for the final, the Italian’s only option will be Fran García, who did a great job at the Coliseum.
Rodrygo out
With Carlo Ancelotti opting for a 4-4-2 formation, Rodrygo drops out of the starting line-up, leaving Vinicius and Mbappé up front with Bellingham playing behind them in a diamond formation, which would be completed by Ceballos, Modrid and Tchouaméni. The coach’s other changes to the starting eleven will be to cover the injuries to Camavinga and Alaba, who join Carvajal and Militao on the long-term injury list. Mendy could be fit, but he is not expected to start.
Real Madrid’s possible starting XI
Goalkeeper: Courtois
Defenders: Fran García, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fede Valverde
Midfielders: Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Modrid, Bellingham
Forwards: Vinicius and Mbappé