They will all be important on Saturday night in El Clásico against Barça in the 2025 Copa del Rey final. However, one of Carlo Ancelotti’s players will prove especially valuable.
After being soundly humiliated in the first two Clásicos of the season, Real Madrid now have the opportunity to restore some pride. Next Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti and his men will once again come up against Hansi Flick’s Barça side. Both teams have qualified for the Copa del Rey final, to be played in Seville and broadcast by several major TV channels. The Catalans and Los Blancos are determined to give their all to lift the trophy. On Real Madrid’s side, preparations are expected to be particularly intense, as they must win to salvage a season that has not gone to plan.
Speaking of preparations, Real Madrid will train twice on Friday ahead of the final. To fine-tune tactical plans, Carlo Ancelotti will have his players working in the morning in Madrid and later that night in Seville. In what is likely to be a 4-4-2 formation, Real will rely on the talents of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni. While all of them will be vital on the pitch, special attention must be paid to the towering importance of Thibaut Courtois.
The Madrid Goalkeeper: Key to Success
Standing 2 metres tall, Thibaut Courtois will be more crucial than ever in Real Madrid’s quest for victory over Barça. Against an attacking line-up consisting of Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and above all, Lamine Yamal, Real Madrid’s defence will be put to the test. Far from solid this season, the backline may well struggle to contain Flick’s attackers.
Between the sticks, Courtois will need to be especially alert and decisive. With his deep knowledge of Barça’s game, several threats are expected to come from the left side of Real’s defence, where Yamal and Koundé operate. In the absence of Eduardo Camavinga—the only player currently able to neutralise the Catalan prodigy—there will be little to hope for from Fran Garcia or potentially a rushed return from Ferland Mendy, who has been sidelined for weeks with a muscular injury.
Courtois Ready for the Clash
As he did against Getafe on Wednesday in La Liga matchday 33—where he pulled off two big saves in stoppage time to preserve the win—Courtois will need to frustrate the Barça forwards with his reflexes. Should he succeed during the key moments of the match, Real Madrid could have a real chance of claiming victory. In attack, Vinicius and his teammates will also have several chances to score. With desire and the hunger to win, especially to avenge the humiliations of the earlier Clásicos, things could well go their way.
“We are very focused and excited for the final. It’s important for the whole team and for the fans. We want to give them a reason to be happy, we want to fight and show who we are,” said the 32-year-old goalkeeper in an interview with Real Madrid TV after Wednesday night’s 1-0 win at Getafe. On Saturday night, he’ll need to perform wonders in goal. Carlo Ancelotti won’t be expecting anything less, especially as he finds himself under pressure and in need of a signature win to keep his job.
As a reminder, Real Madrid have enjoyed an impressive run in the competition. To reach the final, the team eliminated Deportiva Minera in the round of 32 (0–5), Celta Vigo in the last 16 (5–2), Leganés in the quarter-finals (2–3), and Real Sociedad in the semi-finals (0–1 in the first leg, 4–4 in the second leg, won in extra time). On Saturday, Los Blancos will play their 41st final in the tournament. It will also be the eighth Copa del Rey final between the two sides, with Real Madrid having won four of the previous seven.
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