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At the finish line of the "Copa del Rey" tournament in Spain. In tonight's final showdown, two well-acquainted teams - "Barcelona" and Madrid's "Real" will clash their weapons.
"Barcelona" - Madrid's "Real"
Tournament: "Copa del Rey" (Spanish Cup)
Stadium: "Mestalla" (Valencia)
Referee: Mateu Lahoz
Date and time: 2014-04-16, 22:30
Broadcast: "Viasat Sport Baltic"
The decisive battle for this year's first trophy will not take place at "Camp Nou" and "Santiago Bernabeu", but the confrontation moves to the "Mestalla" stadium in Valencia, which can accommodate 55 thousand spectators.
"Barcelona"
In recent weeks, the pupils of Gerardo Martino have faced tough challenges. Barcelona's footballers withdrew from the fight for the UEFA Champions League title and dropped to third place in the Spanish "Primera" championship, complicating their chances of defending the champions' title.
It seems that the only hope lies in the "Copa del Rey" tournament for "Barcelona". Before reaching the final, "Barca" had to play eight matches. The Catalans won seven games and only played one draw. The first club to resist the Spanish champions was "Cartogena", but the Barcelona footballers, undoubtedly considered favorites, crushed their opponents both away and at home.
Gerardo Martino has some painful losses before the crucial battle. "Blaugrana" will not see defender Gerardo Pique. The biggest problem for "Barca" is the absence of main goalkeeper Victor Valdes, while Manuel Pinto faces booing from the team's fans due to his unreliable performance.
Last five "Barcelona" matches:
"Espanyol" 0 - 1 "Barcelona"
"Barcelona" 1 - 1 "Atletico Madrid"
"Barcelona" 3 - 1 "Real Betis"
"Atletico Madrid" 1 - 0 "Barcelona"
"Granada" 1 - 0 "Barcelona"
"Real Madrid"
Meanwhile, the capital's team has been successful in recent weeks. "Los Blancos" secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and regained second place in the "Primera" championship. Madrid's "Real" still has a chance to win the three most important titles this season.
In the King's Cup, Carlo Ancelotti's team's results are similar to "Barca" - seven wins and one draw. The royal club started the tournament with a goalless draw against "Xativa", but in the second match, they won convincingly with a score of 2-0.
In the tournament, the royal club started with a goalless draw against "Xativa", but in the second match, they won convincingly with a score of 2-0. Cristiano Ronaldo will watch the final from the stands.
Last five "Real" matches:
"Real Madrid" 5 - 0 "Rayo Vallecano"
"Real Madrid" 3 - 0 "Borussia"
"Real Sociedad" 0 - 4 "Real Madrid"
"Borussia" 2 - 0 "Real Madrid"
"Real Madrid" 4 - 0 "Almeria"
History of "El Clasico" in the "Copa del Rey" tournament
In total, there have been 32 "El Clasico" encounters in the King's Cup. "Real" club won 11 times, while "Barcelona" club has 14 victories. The teams have drawn seven times. Interestingly, the Spanish giants have scored an equal number of goals against each other - 62.
The "El Clasico" final took place in the Copa del Rey in 2011. Back then, the clubs didn't manage to secure a victory in 90 minutes, and only in extra time Cristiano Ronaldo's precise header decided the triumph for the "White" team.
"Barcelona" club has triumphed a record 26 times in the Copa del Rey tournament. The Catalans last won the cup in 2012. Meanwhile, "Real" has lifted the Spanish Cup 18 times, the last time being in 2011, although they had the opportunity to triumph in the tournament last season, but "Atletico" managed to resist.
Last five mutual matches:
"Real Madrid" 1 - 1 "Barcelona" ("Copa del Rey", 2013)
"Barcelona" 1 - 3 "Real Madrid" ("Copa del Rey", 2013)
"Real Madrid" 1 - 2 "Barcelona" ("Copa del Rey", 2012)
"Barcelona" 2 - 2 "Real Madrid" ("Copa del Rey", 2012)
"Real Madrid" 1 - 0 "Barcelona" ("Copa del Rey", 2011)
