Barcelona – Real Madrid

Real Madrid forced to open up in away match against Barcelona

On Wednesday, April 05, Barcelona will host Real Madrid at home in the return leg of the King's Cup. The first game took place in March and followed a very strange scenario. Xavi surprised Carlo Ancelotti by using Real's tactics. Barcelona gave the ball to Madrid. The Catalans were very clever on the counterattack, but after the break, there was little thought of attacking. Real set an anti-record, with no shots on target. That had not happened for thirteen years. After that, the giants had another El Clasico in the Spanish championship. It decided the fate of La Liga and also ended in favour of Barcelona. The Catalans had the ball and the initiative. In 2023, Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid in the Supercup as well. While Xavi dominated against Carlo Ancelotti. The La Liga leader entertained at the weekend in a game against Elche. The match against the worst team in La Liga ended in a 4-0 defeat. Lewandowski broke his goalless streak, Fati scored for the first time in six months and Ferran Torres registered a quality performance. Barcelona are preparing for the Cup in a great mood. Injuries could have a negative impact. De Jong, Christensen, Pedri and Dembele will be unavailable. At the same time Busquets got the right to rest against Elche. The key midfielder will be able to take to the pitch. Real outclassed Barcelona locally in the last round. Valladolid came under Madrid's hot hand. The outfielders got six unanswered goals. Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick in one half. For the Frenchman, it was the first time in his career. In terms of the standings, the game was of no importance, but the club's morale was boosted. Real Madrid's main problems are in defence. Ancelotti will not be able to rely on Rüdiger and Mendy. Both defenders are out until almost May. In the last ten meetings, Real have only lost to Barcelona. At the same time, there have also been objective difficulties in attack. For example, the squad produced a stretch of one goal in three meetings. The game against Valladolid in this case is not very telling. The opponents are not up to the mark. In any case, Madrid will have to open up in the away format. Barcelona are unlikely to venture into a second match on a defensive strategy. Even their own fans criticised the team for their first Cup win without possession. The most prolific El Clasico of the season is looming. Only twice in the last ten face-offs have the opponents played without goals. Both occasions were in Madrid. On Barcelona's pitch, the clubs usually exchange goals.