When Real Madrid and Barcelona square off at Camp Nou on Wednesday night, they will be looking to erase the one-goal deficit from the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal and secure a spot in the finals.
The Merengues suffered a 1-0 loss in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in March, and it will be extremely difficult for them to rebound in front of a ʜᴏᴛ opponent at home.
Barcelona will also have the advantage in momentum because they have won the last three El Clasico games. Yet the 6-0 victory over Real Valladolid last weekend ought to give Carlo Ancelotti’s team more self-assurance going into the game on Wednesday.
We examine how Real Madrid might line up against Barcelona with a position in the Copa del Rey finals on the line ahead of the big match at Camp Nou.
Starters
Thibaut Courtois may not have enjoyed the same degree of success as he did in the previous year, but he still plays a crucial role in Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid squad and will do so against Barcelona.
Dani Carvajal should play as right-back after missing the weekend match against Valladolid. The Spanish player will face a difficult test on Barça’s left wing against Alejandro Balde and Gavi.
Even though Antonio Rudiger is recovering from his ɪɴᴊᴜʀʏ, Eder Militao and David Alaba should remain the center backs. Nacho should start at left back now that he has served his ban. The veteran will be in charge of stifling Raphinha.
Eduardo Camavinga can make a difference in the midfield with his vigor, physicality, and ball-handling skills thanks to Nacho’s comeback. As the No. 6, Aurelien Tchouameni should position himself to screen the backline.
Ancelotti intimated during his news conference that he might not start both Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the same lineup. And because he did so against Valladolid, Modric ought to start in the third midfield position.
Vinicius · Benzema · Valverde Camavinga · Tchouameni · Modric Nacho · Alaba · Militao · Carvajal Courtois
Substitutes
If he doesn’t start the game, Rodrygo will undoubtedly enter the field at some point. Marco Asensio, who also performed well over the weekend, ought to get some playing time, particularly if Real Madrid is in the lead.
David Alaba, who has just recently returned from an ɪɴᴊᴜʀʏ, might be replaced by Antonio Rudiger at some time in the second half.
Eden Hazard may make his El Clasico debut after appearing against Valladolid, despite not having played a single minute during his time at Real Madrid.
Caso Negreira: Real Madrid request to be private accuser in Prosecutor’s Office’s investigation
As fresh information on Barcelona’s ties with Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice president of the referee’s committee in Spain, emerges, Caso Negreira continues to dominate news in Spanish football.
Barcelona is being looked into in this subject as the prosecutor’s office builds a case against the Blaugrana and Negreira for alleged “continuous sporting corruption.”
Real Madrid’s decision to appear in court proceedings as an impacted party was announced last month, which ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇᴅ their relationship with Barcelona off the field.
Florentino Perez and Joan Laporta’s regular pre-match lunch was postponed before the most recent El Clasico encounter two weeks ago. Moreover, Perez decided not to attend the game at Spotify Camp Nou.
Real Madrid believes Caso Negreira has “harmed” them and plans to participate in the court case involving Barcelona as a private accuser, according to La Vanguardia (via MD).
A special board meeting has been planned so that Joan Laporta may be questioned about the incident as Barcelona is under increasing pressure to provide their version of events.
