Overview
Real Madrid and Barcelona meet tonight for the third
time this season and the Copa del Rey is the prize on
offer.
Real Madrid and Barcelona meet tonight for the third
time this season and the Copa del Rey is the prize on
offer.
The final of Spain's national cup competition is
being played at the famous Mestalla in Valencia and
the action gets started at 2030 BST, live on Sky Sports
for television viewers in Great Britain. Both clubs are
playing catch-up in the Primera Division title race with
leaders Atletico Madrid three points clear of second-
placed city rivals Real and four ahead of Barcelona.
being played at the famous Mestalla in Valencia and
the action gets started at 2030 BST, live on Sky Sports
for television viewers in Great Britain. Both clubs are
playing catch-up in the Primera Division title race with
leaders Atletico Madrid three points clear of second-
placed city rivals Real and four ahead of Barcelona.
That allows tonight's silverware to
take on even more significance as La Liga might be slipping out of reach.Real
still have a Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich to get excited
about but Barcelona's European adventure is over thanks to defeat in the last
eight at the hands of Atletico. Barca coach Gerardo Martino is under massive
pressure and expected to lose his job in the summer. A repeat of the 4-3
victory in El Clasico at the end of March might just cause a change of heart
for the Nou Camp hierarchy. Game on...
Team News
The big news ahead of the final is the absence of Real Madrid talisman Cristiano
Ronaldo. The forward misses out with a hamstring injury and the focus is on getting him
fit for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich next week.
Barcelona have problems in defence. Gerard Pique suffered a hairline fracture to his
pelvis two weeks ago, Carles Puyol has a knee injury and Marc Bartra has been hit by a
hamstrong problem. Boss Martino insists all three have a chance of playing but
midfielder Sergio Busquets could well be forced to play at the back again.
Players to watch
Real Madrid - Gareth Bale
Bale has scored five goals in his last five appearances and Real need more of the same
tonight. Ronaldo is ruled out so much of the pressure will fall on the Welshman's
shoulders and a famous display at the Mestalla will really start to pay back some of his
hefty price tag. This is the night for the Tottenham star to shine.
Barcelona -
Mascherano is the man certain to start in the heart of the Barca defence with the injury
concerns surrounding three of his team-mates. The Argentina international has made 32
appearances so far this season with eight yellow cards to his name but no goals.
Liverpool fans know all about the 29-year-old's tenacity and he needs to be solid as a
rock for the trophy to return to the Nou Camp.
COMPLIED BY KC UMEOKAFOR AND OBINNA JASSY
NWAKPADOLU
Bale did yesterday.
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