{"id":9493,"date":"2025-04-26T12:27:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T12:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=9493"},"modified":"2025-04-26T12:27:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T12:27:06","slug":"copa-del-rey-preview-an-el-clasico-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/copa-del-rey-preview-an-el-clasico-special","title":{"rendered":"Copa del Rey Preview: An El Clasico Special"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>The Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville is primed to host a footballing earthquake on Saturday evening. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/copa-del-rey-13\">Copa del Rey<\/a> final pits <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/fc-barcelona-132\">Barcelona<\/a> against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/real-madrid-131\">Real Madrid<\/a> in an El Cl\u00e1sico that\u2019s less a match and more a global obsession. With 60,000 fans split evenly between blaugrana and white, this is the eighth time these titans have clashed for the Copa, and the stakes are volcanic. Barcelona, under Hansi Flick\u2019s Midas touch, chase a 32nd title and a potential quadruple. Real Madrid, licking wounds from a Champions League exit, need this 21st Copa to salvage their season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">All set for tonight&#8217;s El Clasico in the Copa Del Rey Final! Carlo Ancelotti comes with A LOT of pressure on him and after being CRUSHED in 2 previous Clasicos earlier this season, but with a title on the line, can he deliver for Florentino Perez and Real Madrid? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VauMQmmJJE\">pic.twitter.com\/VauMQmmJJE<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1916085339199852863?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">April 26, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"rank-math-toc\" class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\">\r\n<h2>Copa Del Rey Special<\/h2>\r\n<nav>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#r\">Refereeing Madness<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#team-news\">Team News<\/a>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#barcelona\">Barcelona<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#real-madrid\">Real Madrid<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#key-players\">Key Players<\/a>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#barcelona-pedri\">Barcelona &#8211; Pedri<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#real-madrid-jude-bellingham\">Real Madrid &#8211; Jude Bellingham<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li class=\"\"><a href=\"#k\">Key Statistics<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/nav><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"r\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Refereeing Madness<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The 2025 Copa del Rey final, pitting rivals Real Madrid against Barcelona, was overshadowed by intense refereeing drama that escalated tensions before the match at La Cartuja in Seville. The controversy began when Real Madrid TV, the club&#8217;s official channel, released a series of videos criticizing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who was appointed to officiate the final. These videos highlighted past decisions by De Burgos, particularly in matches involving Barcelona, suggesting bias and questioning his suitability for such a high-stakes El Cl\u00e1sico. The campaign fueled a broader narrative from Real Madrid, who accused the refereeing body of favoritism toward Barcelona, pointing to historical grievances and recent decisions they felt were unfair.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In response, De Burgos held an emotional press conference, visibly distraught and in tears, defending his integrity and professionalism. He condemned the personal attacks and the pressure exerted by Real Madrid&#8217;s media campaign. VAR official Pablo Gonz\u00e1lez Fuertes, also assigned to the final, supported De Burgos and warned that referees might take stronger measures\u2014potentially legal or professional\u2014against such public criticisms in the future to protect their reputation. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) stood firm, refusing Real Madrid&#8217;s demand to replace the officials, asserting that the appointments were based on merit and that caving to pressure would set a dangerous precedent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Real Madrid escalated the situation by boycotting pre-match activities, such as the traditional referees&#8217; lunch, and initially fueled speculation about a possible boycott of the final itself. This stemmed from their frustration with the RFEF and what they perceived as systemic bias in refereeing decisions, particularly in matches against Barcelona.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Despite the standoff, Real Madrid confirmed they would participate in the final, likely to avoid severe sanctions or public backlash. The controversy cast a shadow over the buildup to the match, shifting focus from the on-pitch rivalry to off-field disputes. This incident also reignited debates about the influence of club-affiliated media, the vulnerability of referees to public pressure, and the RFEF\u2019s handling of such conflicts, with some calling for reforms to ensure neutrality and protect officials in Spain\u2019s fiercely competitive football landscape.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Barca fans catching up with all the Real Madrid vs refs drama in the last 24 hours ? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/t2kmEub2yy\">pic.twitter.com\/t2kmEub2yy<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1916009472780013907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">April 26, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"team-news\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Team News<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"barcelona\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barcelona<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Hansi Flick\u2019s Barcelona are a juggernaut, but injuries are testing their depth. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/robert-lewandowski-1857\">Robert Lewandowski\u2019s<\/a> hamstring injury\u2014a gut-punch given his 15 La Liga goals\u2014rules him out, thrusting Ferran Torres into the striker role. Alejandro Balde\u2019s hamstring issue means Gerard Mart\u00edn steps up at left-back, while Marc Casado and Marc Bernal are also sidelined.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Marc-Andr\u00e9 ter Stegen is back from a knee injury, but Wojciech Szcz\u0119sny\u2019s form keeps him in goal. Pau Cubars\u00ed returns to anchor defense alongside I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez, with Ronald Araujo potentially benched. Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kound\u00e9 are back in the XI, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/lamine-yamal-131182\">Lamine Yamal<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/raphinha-39789\">Raphinha<\/a> are locked in on the wings. Despite the absences, Bar\u00e7a\u2019s 1-0 win over Mallorca showed their rotation resilience, but can Torres fill Lewandowski\u2019s boots?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A huge blow for Barcelona as their number 9 will be out for 2 crucial games that could defy the Catalans season. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ocrVZCMHQm\">pic.twitter.com\/ocrVZCMHQm<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1913924378024091863?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">April 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"real-madrid\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real Madrid<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Real Madrid\u2019s squad is a high-wire act of brilliance and fragility. Eduardo Camavinga\u2019s season-ending adductor injury against Getafe is a brutal blow, joining Dani Carvajal and \u00c9der Milit\u00e3o on the long-term absentee list. Lucas V\u00e1zquez fills in at right-back, a weak link against Bar\u00e7a\u2019s wingers, while Fran Garc\u00eda starts at left-back.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/kylian-mbappe-39820\">Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/a>, despite an ankle scare against Arsenal, is fit to lead alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/vinicius-junior-48298\">Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior<\/a> and Rodrygo, with Carlo Ancelotti confirming the latter\u2019s start despite recent criticism. Thibaut Courtois guards the net, with Antonio R\u00fcdiger and Marco Asencio in central defense. Federico Valverde and Aur\u00e9lien Tchouam\u00e9ni must fill Camavinga\u2019s void in midfield, where Jude Bellingham roams. A 1-0 Getafe win kept Madrid\u2019s pulse, but their patched-up defense faces a stern test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-image-8649\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2173617149-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"COPA DEL REY: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates with his teammate Kylian Mbappe after scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga match\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2173617149-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2173617149-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2173617149-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2173617149-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/GettyImages-2173617149-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\r\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by David S. Bustamante\/Real Madrid via Getty Images)<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"key-players\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Players<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"barcelona-pedri\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barcelona &#8211; Pedri<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/pedri-69251\">Pedri<\/a> is Barcelona\u2019s quiet genius, a 22-year-old who plays with the grace of a dancer and the vision of a chess grandmaster. Every touch is a brushstroke, every pass a line of poetry, weaving patterns that leave opponents chasing shadows. On the ball, he\u2019s untouchable, gliding through midfield like a breeze, his pass accuracy a testament to his silk.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Against Mallorca, he didn\u2019t just play\u2014he conducted, earning gasps and praise for stealing the show. With Lewandowski sidelined, Pedri\u2019s wand of a left foot becomes Bar\u00e7a\u2019s lifeline, tasked with unlocking Madrid\u2019s defense. Football respects his Euro 2024 swagger, fans calling him the heir to Xavi\u2019s throne. If he sets the rhythm, Barcelona will dance, and La Cartuja will be his stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">? Pedri has been named LaLiga Player of the Month for April ?<br \/><br \/>A well-deserved recognition for the Barcelona midfielder after a series of standout performances ?? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MHRxKNGT59\">pic.twitter.com\/MHRxKNGT59<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1915443757786317231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">April 24, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"real-madrid-jude-bellingham\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real Madrid &#8211; Jude Bellingham<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/jude-bellingham-73000\">Jude Bellingham<\/a> doesn\u2019t just play football\u2014he bends it to his will. At 21, the Englishman is a force of nature, a whirlwind of heart and hustle who turns games into his personal canvas. His thunderous runs and velvet touches light up the Bernab\u00e9u, and in Seville, he\u2019s ready to paint a masterpiece. Whether he\u2019s charging into the box like a runaway train or threading a pass that slices defenses, Bellingham\u2019s presence is electric.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Stung by Barcelona\u2019s 4-0 and 5-2 maulings this season, he\u2019s a man on a mission, fueled by a hunger to etch his name in Cl\u00e1sico lore. Fans swoon over his knack for seizing the moment, whispering of his destiny in finals. When the lights burn brightest, expect Bellingham to be Madrid\u2019s beating heart, a one-man rebellion against Bar\u00e7a\u2019s tide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-image-5665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-1878346719-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - DECEMBER 21: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Mendizorroza on December 21, 2023 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-1878346719-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-1878346719-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-1878346719-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-1878346719-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-1878346719-scaled.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/>\r\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"k\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Statistics<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Defending Champions Out: <\/strong>Athletic Bilbao, the 2024 Copa del Rey champions, crashed out in the round of 16 to Osasuna, ensuring no repeat winner since Barcelona\u2019s four-peat (2015-2018). This opens the door for a new king in Seville.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Cl\u00e1sico Copa Finals Record:<\/strong> This is the eighth Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Madrid lead 4-3 in their seven prior finals:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>2014: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona (\u00c1ngel Di Mar\u00eda, Gareth Bale)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>2011: Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona (Cristiano Ronaldo)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>1990: Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid (Guillermo Amor, Julio Salinas)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>1983: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>1974: Real Madrid 4-0 Barcelona<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>1968: Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>1936: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Total Copa Meetings:<\/strong> Across the Copa del Rey\u2019s history, Barcelona and Real Madrid have clashed 38 times, with Madrid holding a slight edge in their head-to-head.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>All-Time Copa Titles:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Barcelona: 31 (last in 2020-21)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Athletic Bilbao: 24<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Real Madrid: 20 (last in 2022-23)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Atl\u00e9tico Madrid: 10<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Valencia: 8<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Bar\u00e7a\u2019s 2024-25 Cl\u00e1sico Dominance:<\/strong> Barcelona have obliterated Real Madrid twice this season:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>4-0 in La Liga at the Bernab\u00e9u (October 2024)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Recent Form:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Barcelona: Unbeaten domestically since December 2024, with a 1-0 La Liga win over Mallorca.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Real Madrid: Bounced back from a 5-1 Champions League loss to Arsenal with a 1-0 La Liga win over Getafe.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>By Nicky Helfgott &#8211; <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NickyHelfgott1\"><em>NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter<\/em>)<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Keep up with all the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\">latest football news<\/a> on 365Scores!<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville is primed to host a footballing earthquake on Saturday evening. The Copa del Rey final pits Barcelona against Real Madrid in an El Cl\u00e1sico that\u2019s less a match and more a global obsession. With 60,000 fans split evenly between blaugrana and white, this is the eighth time these &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":9494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[3468,23,282,1095,210,3464,2187,2654,283,1019,1671,284,3465,317,1352,586,3467,188,1287,3466,279,2653,823,314,59,189,1302,969,2029],"class_list":["post-9493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer","tag-alejandro-balde","tag-antonio-rudiger","tag-aurelien-tchouameni","tag-barcelona","tag-copa-del-rey","tag-dani-ceballos","tag-dani-olmo","tag-david-alaba","tag-eduardo-camavinga","tag-el-clasico","tag-endrick","tag-federico-valverde","tag-fran-garcia","tag-frenkie-de-jong","tag-gavi","tag-jude-bellingham","tag-jules-kounde","tag-kylian-mbappe","tag-lamine-yamal","tag-lucas-vazquez","tag-luka-modric","tag-marc-andre-ter-stegen","tag-pedri","tag-raphinha","tag-real-madrid","tag-robert-lewandowski","tag-rodrygo","tag-thibaut-courtois","tag-vinicius-jr"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9493\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}