Copa Clasico 2.0!

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona are closing in on a potential quadruple this season, but standing in their way are eternal rivals Real Madrid. Although the Catalan giants — also in the Champions League semi-final — are widely considered the best team in Spain at the moment, Carlo Ancelotti’s faltering Los Blancos could still claim both domestic titles still on the line — they trail league leaders Barcelona by four points.

Flick’s Barcelona have emphatically bested Madrid on the two occasions they have met this season, first winning 4-0 in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu in October, before dismantling Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia in January. Barcelona outplayed Madrid in both games, but their German coach had nothing but praise for his  counterpart. 

“Real Madrid has an incredible team and one of the best coaches in the world… He [Ancelotti] has won everything. I have the highest respect [for him],” said Flick on Tuesday. Ancelotti will need to find a way to shut down Pedri in midfield as well as dynamic wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. The Los Blancos have lost 12 matches this season, but despite the lack of consistency, Ancelotti believes their opponents can be bested in a one-off contest.

“Maybe they are the favourites, but a final is a final and anything can happen. I am convinced that we’ll defend well and have opportunities in attack,” Ancelotti said. Both sides have lost important players in the run-up to the game. Barcelona are without top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski and left-back Alejandro Balde, while Madrid will miss Eduardo Camavinga. Kylian Mbappe will also have a point to prove after being jeered by his own fans while seated in the stands last week, following a red-card tackle the week before that.

Last 5 El Clasicos in Copa del Rey finals

>> Barca 1-2 Madrid (2014) Gareth Bale turns on the afterburners to score sensational solo match-winner
>> Barca 0-1 Madrid (2011) Cristiano Ronaldo nets in extra time
>> Barca 2-0 Madrid (1990) Amor, Salinas score to give Johann Cryuff his only Spanish Cup title as Barcelona boss
>> Barca 2-1 Madrid (1983) Marcos Alonso nets 90th-minute winner for Blaugrana
>> Barca 0-4 Madrid (1974) Santillana, Rubinan, Aguilar and Pirri score a goal each as Madrid rout Barcelona

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