The second round draw for the 2025-26 Copa del Rey will proceed without the presence of Spain’s elite clubs, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao. These football giants will enter the tournament in the third round, which will feature only 32 teams. This exemption is not a new development; it stems from a reform implemented during the 2019-2020 season regarding both the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
As reported by AS, this decision aims to alleviate the burden on teams that participate in multiple competitions, including league play, the Supercopa, and European tournaments. By exempting these four clubs from the initial rounds of the Copa del Rey, La Liga seeks to prevent an overwhelming number of official matches for its most prominent teams. The regulations stipulate that no La Liga club can compete in more than 46 official matches across domestic competitions: 38 in the league and a maximum of eight between the Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
Clarifying the Exemption
The exemption is particularly relevant for clubs like FC Barcelona, who clinched both the La Liga title and Copa del Rey in 2024, Real Madrid, who finished as runner-up in both competitions, Atlético Madrid (third place), and Athletic Bilbao (fourth). These teams will also participate in the upcoming Supercopa de España scheduled for January next year. This tournament features a four-club format that includes the finalists of the Copa del Rey along with the top two teams from La Liga.
Impact on Club Strategies
The absence of these clubs from the early rounds of the Copa del Rey is not merely a matter of convenience but rather a strategic decision aimed at maintaining competitive integrity. With a packed schedule already filled with domestic and international commitments, this regulation helps ensure that these top-tier teams do not become overburdened. As they prepare for their entry into the tournament at a later stage, anticipation builds regarding how they will navigate their pursuit of another Copa del Rey title.
In conclusion, while some may perceive this exemption as preferential treatment for Spain’s football elite, it is fundamentally a regulatory measure designed to balance match loads across various competitions. As fans look forward to seeing Real Madrid back in action in the third round, questions linger about how this strategic planning will affect their performance in pursuit of silverware.
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