Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Copa del Rey first leg preview

Another Copa del Rey, another El Clasico. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF will meet each other for the fourth time this season in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter finals, at the Santiago Bernabeuon Wednesday, with the return leg slated for the 25th of this month.

The last time the two met each other, the game (also at the Bernabeu) ended 3-1 in favour of the Catalans. To be honest, I’m a die hard Barcelona fan, and I’m beginning to get tired of the overdose of Clasicos, what with there being five of them last year, and a minimum of six this year. But, cribbing about the monotony of these games is up for discussion later.

The previous El Clasico at the Kings Cup, was last years Final, in which the Meringues were 1-0 victors over the Blaugrana, after the game went to extra time. As the score suggests, it was a tightgame, and in the end, Madrid seized their chance, and were rightful winners of the Cup, courtesy Cristiano Ronaldo‘s header.

Of the innumerable times Pep Guardiola’s side has faced Real Madrid, he has been beaten once, in the aforementioned game. And the Kings Cup is considered in many quarters as the least importantof the three trophies Real Madrid and Barcelona play for, and Barcelona would have taken sufficient redemption from the fact that they had beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League semis. People aren’t wrong in their criticism of Madrid. Los Blancos are an excellent side, and probably the best in the world, with the exception of Barca. But, their inability to beat Barcelona, or even give them a good fight in most games just bewilders me. Yes, Barcelona were a goal down within a minute of this seasons league Clasico, but ended up winning 3-1 with the usual 70%+ possession. Real Madridssuccess in other quarters, and failure in these games may both be attributed to their star player - Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid aren’t the same in his absence, or poor form, and yet, he tends todisappear in the “big games”, which is why they seem to lack teeth in attack. Barca’s attack, on the flip side, seems to be sharp-as-a-tack, every time. The likes of Puyol, Abidal, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi seem to galvanize them into an unbreakable compound, and Madrid respond far to meekly to threaten them.

Neither Madrid, nor Barcelona come into the game in the best of form. Real made a difficult job of defeating Mallorca , 3-2, and Barca had to rely on Betis getting a man sent off, to beat them 4-2, athome. Ronaldo doesn’t look too happy at Madrid, with rumours of unrest in the dressing room, and to be very honest, neither does Lionel Messi look very sharp. Admitted, his currently average form is still better than anyone else in the world, but, the displays against Espanyol, and Betis weren’t anywhere close to his best, even though he scored twice in the latter. If either side are to gain a victory, their defences, and offence, need to be in top shape. Any other game, any other opponent, a void in defence could be masked by a masterclass in attack, or vice-versa, but this is a Clasico, and no one can let their hair down. The consequences will be brutal.

Real Madrid may try to field Pepe in midfield, to choke Barcelona’s passing game, if he’s fit. His participation isn’t guaranteed owing to an injury. Also, Mourinho might think twice before placinghim in midfield, as Pepe tends to lose his cool when situated in the thick of things, an example being when he got sent off in the Champions League last year. Angel di Maria is also a doubt for the game,and Higuain may deputise in his absence. Though not as dynamic and creative as Di Maria, Higuain remains a brilliant finisher, and will add bite to Madrids attack. Barcelona have few concerns otherthan Villa and Affelay, who are out with long-term injuries, but the presence of Alexis, and Fabregas, mask those deficiencies. Jose Manuel Pinto will replace Victor Valdes in goal, as is the norm withBarcelona in the Cup.

Clasicos are more often than not, acrimonious encounters with multiple red cards, and innumerable brawls, with managers (actually, only Mourinho, remember the Vilanova incident?) getting involved in the physicality as well. The last game was devoid of such unwanted abominations, and one hopes viewers will be treated a brilliant game of football rather than a wrestling match, as has been in the past.

I think the game at the Bernabeu will end in a draw, and the one at Camp Nou will go to Barcelona, both thanks equally to Real Madrids lack of the big game tenacity, and Barcelona’s stifling possession game. Also, the fact that Alexis and Cesc are able performers, and have haunted Madrid before tilts the balance in their favour. So my score predictions for the game :

1st leg : Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona2nd leg : Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid