Barcelona are back in Copa del Rey action. As the most successful team in the competition, they're gunning for yet another final. Their form of recent hasn't been the best, suffering two consecutive losses this past week. But if there's any game that can motivate the team to get back to winning ways, it's the Clasico at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid, unlike their rivals, have experienced a bit of an upswing in form recently. They were unable to follow their trashing of Liverpool with a win in the Madrid Derby however. Still lagging 7 points behind Barcelona in the league, last week's defeat of the Catalans at Almeria will make Los Blancos wonder if La Liga has truly slipped from their grasps. But they'll want to start with a victory in the Clasico.
INTERESTING STATS
-Real Madrid have not last lost a match at home since April 2022. Their last defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu came against Chelsea in the Champions League.
- Barcelona’s 18-game unbeaten run came to an end when they lost in the second leg of the Europa League knockout against Manchester United. Currently, they are on a two-game losing streak.
- Real Madrid and Barcelona have already met twice in the ongoing season. Real Madrid managed to win the league fixture at home while the Blaugrana won in the Spanish Super Cup final.
- Barcelona have not conceded a goal in their last two Copa del Rey matches.
Los Blancos have found the back of the net on six occasions in their last two Copa del Rey outings.
TEAM NEWS
REAL MADRID
Carlo Ancelotti will once again be without the services of Ferland Mendy, who is out injured. David Alaba will also miss this fixture because of the injury that he picked up in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg win over Liverpool.
Rodrygo and Tchouameni have made recoveries from their injuries and will be available for selection.
Thibaut Courtois will be in goal once again. The Real Madrid boss is expected to start with an unchanged back four. Dani Carvajal and Nacho will be the full-backs, while Eder Militao will pair up with Antonio Rudiger as the centre-backs.
Tchouameni and Modric will start alongside Toni Kroos in the midfield. And Federico Valverde will start as the right winger. The manager will surely start with Valverde because he is pretty aware of the importance he will have.
Valverde will be expected to drop back and make it 4-4-2 when Real Madrid defend. And, he has the legs to do it throughout the 90 minutes. Vinicius Junior will start on the left, while captain Karim Benzema will lead the line.
Barcelona
Xavi's injury list unfortunately keeps growing. Adding to Pedri and Dembele, Lewandowski has suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined for the next couple of weeks. Andreas Christensen also reportedly has ankle discomfort and his participation at the Bernabeu is in question. Ansu Fati however, has made full recovery from a knee contusion and is available for selection.
Nevertheless, Xavi still has formidable weapons at his disposal. TerStegen is sure to start in goal. Eric Garcia or Marcos Alonso may take Christensen's spot in the backline that'll include Araujo, Kounde and Balde.
The midfield is where things get interesting. Pablo Torre has shown cause to be given more minutes. DeJong, Kessie, Gavi and Roberto are options, although it's difficult to predict how the midfield will lineup in Pedri's absence.
Barça are surprisingly short of attacking options. Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Angel Alcaron are the only options and will ahve to be at their clinical bests with any chances that may fall to them.
Where are Real Madrid vs Barcelona playing?
Location: Madrid, Spain
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Date: Thursday 2 March
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT 21:00 🇳🇬
Referee: Jose Luis Munuera Montero
VAR: Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez
El Clasico is always about passion, who want to win it the most. Team form leading to games like this aren't the best predictors of outcome.
What we expect is an entertaining clash involving two teams desperate for an upswing in momentum, a positive way to begin the month.
Let's go.
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