Real Madrid and Barcelona Horse Riding Goggles

GETAFE, THURSDAY — The final of the Copa del Rey has captured the focus of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Like a pair of blinders, the attention of these two teams is temporarily no longer fully on La Liga, but rather on the Copa del Rey final, which will take place on Sunday (27/4/2025) in the early hours of WIB.

The two strong title contenders in the league implemented a rotation policy to achieve the most ideal lineup for the final match. Despite fielding a rotated squad, both Barca and Real were still able to overcome their respective opponents.

The competition at the top of the Spanish League standings remains unchanged compared to last week. The "Blaugrana" continues to lead by four points ahead of Real, which occupies the second position. With only five weeks left in the league, the rivalry between Real and Barca is expected to continue until the end.

Nevertheless, Real appeared to be taking a gamble by fielding several players who rarely get the opportunity to play when facing the home team Getafe at the Coliseum Stadium, Thursday (24/4/2025) early morning WIB.

In total, Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti made six player changes compared to the previous match against Athletic Bilbao. In addition to Lucas Vazquez, who is regularly deployed as a right-back, David Alaba, Fran Garcia, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, and Endrick suddenly started from the beginning. These five players had previously rarely been included in Ancelotti's preferred starting lineup.

Ancelotti's decision to play them was influenced by Real's need to establish the ideal starting lineup for the final of the Spanish King's Cup. Real will face Barca in the final, which will take place at the Estadio de la Cartuja in Seville.

Ancelotti was forced to contradict his own statement that he was not overly concerned about the final of the Spanish King's Cup. The lineup of Real to face Getafe reflects Ancelotti's short-term priorities.

The Italian coach is keen to field the best starting lineup in order to defeat Barca and secure the first trophy of the season. Although this means that Real could fall further behind Barca due to fielding many substitute players against Getafe.

Ancelotti's courage to rotate players in such an important match against Getafe was influenced by Real's elimination from the UEFA Champions League. After losing to Arsenal, Ancelotti's position has become increasingly pressured.

In the league, Real is trailing behind Barca at the top of the standings and has yet to win an "El Clasico" this season. Rumors suggest that Ancelotti could be dismissed if he loses to Barca again in the final later.

This is because Real's chances of winning the Copa del Rey are slightly greater compared to the league. Thus, defeating Barca in the final could be one way for Ancelotti to extend his career in Madrid.

"In the final, they (Barca) may be favored. However, a final is a final, and anything can happen. In the final, we can play a 4-4-2 formation with six midfielders and no forwards. We must defend well, and I am confident we will do that and create opportunities on the other side as well," said Ancelotti after the match against Getafe.

Fielding five players who have rarely had the opportunity this season, Real still achieved a sweet result. "Los Blancos" successfully defeated Getafe, 1-0, thanks to a solitary goal from Arda Guler.

Rarely getting playing time this season, Guler has evidently repaid Ancelotti's trust. His decision to shoot from distance yielded results amid a series of failed attempts by Real to score.

"We knew this match would be difficult. But we managed to withstand their pressure in the first half, and this is a very important victory," said Guler.

Like Real, Barca also seems to be wearing blinders at the moment. The team coached by Hansi Flick is temporarily shifting its focus ahead of the Copa del Rey final.

Flick made significant changes by substituting six players when Barca faced Real Mallorca. Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martin, Frenkie De Jong, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez, who usually receive more trust, were surprisingly benched by Flick.

As a result of fielding substitute players, Barcelona's sharpness has diminished. The Blaugrana could only secure a 1-0 victory against Mallorca, who are currently experiencing inconsistency. The six players who were benched in that La Liga match are likely to be played by Flick as starters in the final against Real.

Despite winning the Spanish Super Cup earlier this season, Barca have the same priority to succeed in the Spanish King's Cup. Currently, Barca, along with Paris Saint-Germain, are the teams in Europe who have the chance to win three titles in a season (treble winner). Winning the Spanish King's Cup is a kind of trigger to make it happen.

"For us, that is part of my plan before the match (final). Therefore, I made substitutions to give them some rest," said Flick. (REUTERS)