Having lost twice to Barcelona in the league this season, Real Madrid are on the hunt for revenge as they take on their arch rivals in the final of the Copa del Rey. Carlo Ancelloti’s men come into this final on the back of a routine 4-0 win over Almeria to remain well in contention to win the La Liga title in the Italian’s first season in charge. It was the third league game in a row where they managed to hit at least four goals without conceding, the perfect reply following two successive defeats, one of those being the enthralling 4-3 loss against Barca. Their route to the final of this competition has been relatively straightforward. In their eight games thus far, they have won seven and drawn one. They haven’t actually conceded a goal yet in this year’s competition – if they can extend that sequence until after the final then you would suspect they will be celebrating the first leg of what could be a historic treble.
It’s all went wrong for Tata Martino and his Barcelona players recently. After winning El Classico at the end of March, Barca have lost their keeper, Victor Valdes, to a season ending injury, been knocked out the Champions League and their defeat to Granada at the weekend means they have slipped to third in the race for La Liga. There’s no doubt it’s been a trying week for the club from Catalunya and they will have to respond to the critics who have been calling this the end of an era. Even recent victories over Real Betis and Espanyol have been too close for comfort and have exposed further frailties, especially in defence. With just five games to go they are four points off first placed Atletico Madrid and three behind the more illustrious side from the Spanish capital. They do still have the former to play, at home, but you couldn’t be confident about them winning the games they have between then and now.
Iker Casillas may not be the first choice keeper for Real Madrid anymore but he will again deputise in a cup competition for Diego Lopez, who is the established number one these days. The World Cup winning captain will take the field without Cristiano Ronaldo, though, who is still bothered by a niggling muscle injury and will not be risked for the third game running. His importance to this side cannot be underestimated and that was evident last week when his team-mates were very lucky to see of Dortmund who missed a hatful of chances to take the tie to extra time.
The defeat to Atletico Madrid over two legs in the quarter finals of the Champions League was as deflating a blow as Barca could have suffered at this stage of the season. Not only have they missed out on the semi-finals of that competition for the first time since 2007, it is the manner of the exit which will leave their supporters scratching their heads. The signing of Neymar during the summer was meant to add another dimension to their attack to help break well organised defences down but the Brazilian, along with Messi, looked toothless and out of sync.
Games between these two are rarely dull and if we could get half the excitement, quality and thrills of the last meeting then we are in for another magnificent treat. Barca will be wounded after defeats to Atleti and Granada whilst Real are having to cope without their main man, Ronaldo. Ordinarily, you would fancy Barca because of that but in this case, I think Real have a greater desire and unity at this point of the season and they can secure their first piece of silverware in a couple of years.
Real Madrid 9/5 @ William Hill
