Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Injury report for the Copa del Rey semi-final Clásico
Real Madrid are behind in the tie but go into the return leg with no injury concerns - but it’s a different story for Barça.
A place in next month’s Copa del Rey final will be at stake when Barcelona and Real Madrid take to the pitch at Camp Nou tonight - the fifth and last time they will meet this season. No team has appeared in more Copa finals than Barça, who have contested the trophy 42 times and lifted it on 31 occasions. Madrid have gone all the way 39 times in this tournament and brought the cup back 19 times.
You might also enjoy
Awaiting the winners in the final in Seville next month will be Osasuna, who are contemplating their second Copa final. The Rojillos sole appearance in the final was in 2005 when they were cruelly denied the chance to win their first piece of major silverware by Betis in extra-time.
First leg advantage
In many ways, Xavi’s team go into tonight’s game holding all, or most, of the trump cards - they hold a one-goal lead from the first leg, they are at home, they have the psychological advantage of having beaten Madrid twice already this year - in the Spanish Super Cup and more recently, in LaLiga.
Barça also boast extraordinary figures in defence - they are a side that is incredibly difficult to score against. In LaLiga, the goals against column isn’t even in double figures - nine goals conceded in 27 games, and 20 clean sheets. Five teams: Athletic Club, Villarreal, Elche, Cádiz and Sevilla haven’t scored at all against the Catalans this season, either home or away. Madrid need at least one goal to level the tie or more than one to win it - a tall order against the meanest defence in world football.
Injury news: Barcelona
Madrid have a slight advantage in the availability of key players. Xavi will be without Ousmane Dembélé, who has been out since January after suffering a tear to his left thigh muscle. Pedri is out with a similar injury with no date set for his return and two players were originally down as doubtful have not recovered in time for the Madrid game. Centre-back Andreas Christensen picked up an injury to his left calf muscle while on international duty with Denmark at the end of last month. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong faced a fight against the clock to make the list and in the end hasn’t made it. He suffered a microtear to his right thigh muscle in the league meeting with Madrid on 19 March and although he returned to training at the weekend, he complained of discomfort and won’t be risked.
With Christensen and De Jong absent, Xavi is without two of his first-choice starters against Madrid.
Injury news: Real Madrid
Fewer fitness problems for Ancelotti’s Madrid with just Férland Mendy unable to make the trip. The French left-back suffered an injury to his left thigh muscle at the end of January, just before the Club World Cup and has been sidelined since. Antonio Rüdiger, who missed Sunday’s 6-0 mauling of Valladolid, is back in the list - one of eight defenders who have made the trip.
While Madrid are in better health than Barça, they also have a busier calendar and a series of crunch matches coming up. On Saturday, they host Villarreal then a few days later, Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final. With two cup competitions left to play for, and the possibility of playing a marathon run of 62 games this season, Ancelotti will need to manage his team selection with care.