The upcoming Copa del Rey final on Saturday marks the third El Clasico encounter of the season, the most significant yet. While both teams have had their chances throughout the campaign, a clear theme has emerged from their previous meetings: Barcelona`s overwhelming superiority.
Under manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona has experienced a remarkable resurgence, not only winning the two previous Clasicos decisively but also showcasing impressive overall form. Key to this success has been the emergence of young talent like Lamine Yamal, alongside Flick`s ability to maximize the potential of experienced players such as Robert Lewandowski and, notably, Raphinha. Although Lewandowski, Barcelona`s leading scorer with 40 goals across all competitions, will miss the final due to injury, the availability of other crucial players is expected to keep the team highly competitive.
In contrast, this season`s El Clasico matches have unexpectedly exposed weaknesses in a Real Madrid side previously considered dominant, especially after securing La Liga and UEFA Champions League trophies last season. Even the highly anticipated arrival of Kylian Mbappe hasn`t prevented these issues from surfacing. Flaws seemingly present even in their previous successful campaign appear to have cost them this season, putting them at a disadvantage heading into the Copa del Rey final. Nevertheless, with a major trophy at stake, the final could potentially be a much closer and fiercely contested battle than the previous two encounters.
Before the latest chapter in this historic rivalry unfolds, let`s take a look back at the two El Clasico clashes played earlier this season.
First Encounter
The initial meeting took place in late October at the Santiago Bernabeu. Following a strong start to the season and a dominant win against Bayern Munich just days prior, Barcelona delivered a stunning 4-0 victory over Real Madrid. This match highlighted Barcelona`s attacking prowess, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice and both Lamine Yamal and Raphinha adding a goal each. Conversely, it underscored Real Madrid`s struggles, with key players like Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe notably failing to make a significant impact. The result was also crucial in the La Liga title race at the time, establishing a six-point advantage for Barcelona.
Spanish Super Cup Final
The second encounter occurred in January in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during the Spanish Super Cup final. Despite Kylian Mbappe opening the scoring early for Madrid, Barcelona responded emphatically. They built a commanding 4-1 lead by halftime with goals from Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde. Raphinha scored again after the break, further solidifying their lead. Barcelona ultimately secured a 5-2 victory, even after a red card to their goalkeeper (Wojciech Szczesny) and a subsequent goal from Rodrygo, confirming their clear superiority in head-to-head matches this season.
Looking Ahead to the Final
The upcoming Copa del Rey Clasico carries significant weight as the first major trophy of the season potentially available to either side, and for some, possibly their only chance at major silverware. Real Madrid is currently not leading the league race, and while Barcelona remains in contention in both La Liga and the Champions League, neither title is yet guaranteed. A final league Clasico is also scheduled for May 11th in Barcelona, which could still influence the outcome of the La Liga title race with only three matches remaining afterward.
Benedict Kingsley 
Adrian Whitmore