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"El Clasico" marathon continues - "Barcelona" and Madrid's "Real" will face each other for the second time after a few days break on Wednesday in the final of the Spanish King's Cup tournament. "Barcelona" - Madrid's "Real" "Estadio Mestalla", Valencia 22:30 Lithuanian time Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco The Catalan team practically secured the Spanish champions title on Saturday by playing a 1-1 draw with "Real" and maintaining a safe eight-point advantage over their closest rival with six games left until the end of the championship. Lionel Messi put Barcelona ahead, but at the end of the match, Pep Guardiola's students let the victory slip away - Cristiano Ronaldo restored balance. "I don't think this match will have any impact on the final because it's a unique game. Two amazing teams will play, so we expect a great match. We are optimistic," said Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, who may have to miss the match due to injury. Statistics would suggest that the favorite is "Barcelona." This team is unbeaten and is aiming to win the 25th Spanish cup in history, as well as have the opportunity to win for the fourth consecutive time in the final. Meanwhile, "Real" has competed in finals 36 times, but won less than half - 17 times. Furthermore, Guardiola has never stumbled against "Real" yet, even though the winning streak was interrupted by the draw on Saturday. "Barcelona" was concerned about captain Carles Puyol, who suffered a minor injury, but the club confirmed on Tuesday that he will be able to take to the field. In that case, the experienced player will form a defensive tandem with Gerard Pique, as the latter, contrary to what was erroneously announced, is not suspended. Meanwhile, Fernando Gago and the red card recipient Raul Albiol will be absent from "Real." In the last "El Clasico," Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho successfully placed the nominal defender Pepe in a defensive midfield role, but due to Albiol's suspension, he may be forced to return the Portuguese to his usual position. Thus, Mesut Ozil could be back in the starting lineup. However, it could be that the midfield trio will consist of Lassana Diarra, Xabi Alonso, and Sami Khedira, or Sergio Ramos will be pushed into the midfield, giving way to Alvaro Arbeloa on the flank and allowing Pepe to play in the center. Either way, Mourinho will have to solve a tactical dilemma that could potentially determine the outcome of the entire final. Projected starting lineups: "Barcelona": Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Adriano; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Villa, Messi, Pedro. "Real": Casillas; Arbeloa, Carvalho, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Pepe, Alonso; Ozil, Di Maria; Ronaldo.
