The fate of Real Madrid`s season and Barcelona`s treble aspirations collide in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. With matches coming thick and fast towards the end of the season, both teams are dealing with injury issues as they prepare for the encounter. Barcelona is set to be without Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski, while Real Madrid has recently added David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga to their injury list. In a significant surprise, the club announced that star forward Kylian Mbappe will not be in the starting lineup.
Both managers have had to navigate numerous injuries while trying to get the best out of their squads all season. Now, with a trophy on the line, their selection decisions carry even more weight. We saw how Barcelona`s attack might look without Lewandowski when they secured a 1-0 victory against Mallorca. Hansi Flick`s side registered 40 shots in that game but struggled with their finishing. However, with players like Raphinha rested, this lack of clinical edge might not be a major concern. One positive takeaway was the dynamic interplay between Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.
Their movement made it difficult for defenders to distinguish between who was playing striker and who was in midfield, constantly keeping the opposition guessing. Adding Lamine Yamal and Raphinha to the mix could create a nightmare scenario for Madrid`s injury-depleted defense. Pedri`s excellent form in midfield, setting the tempo behind the attackers, will be a key area for Madrid to focus on controlling.
Federico Valverde is expected to be partly responsible for marking Pedri, but the absence of Camavinga is a blow. Camavinga`s versatility in midfield and ability to drop into defensive positions makes him a crucial component of Madrid`s setup. This cup final will likely call for the experience of Luka Modrić. Having been fully rested during the week, the 39-year-old Croatian should be fresh just when he is needed most.
Despite Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni being seen as part of the future beyond Modrić, the veteran midfielder continues to be indispensable, having appeared in 30 league matches for Los Blancos this season.
The other significant surprise is, of course, the absence of Mbappe. His arrival was anticipated to usher in a new era of trophy success for Real Madrid, but instead, it seems to have created some imbalance in the attack. While he has had periods of prolific goalscoring, things haven`t fully clicked for him on the biggest stages for Madrid yet. With Barcelona`s high defensive line looking to catch players offside, Mbappe`s pace could have been used to stretch the back line, creating space for Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior to operate around him. Without him, it remains uncertain who will step up in attack alongside Vini Jr.
Things appear to favor Barcelona in their pursuit of the treble. This doesn`t mean Real Madrid cannot win, but they will need a significantly better attacking performance than they showed against Arsenal.
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
Announced Lineups
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Lucas Vazquez, Aurelian Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
How to Watch Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, Odds
- Date: Saturday, April 26 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Olimpico de Sevilla — Sevilla, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Barcelona +120; Draw +290; Real Madrid +200
