COPA DEL REY
Who has won more Copa del Rey titles, Barcelona or Real Madrid?
The two giants of the Spanish game have dominated the domestic cup and meet again for a place in the final of the competition.
Real Madrid and Barcelona will be renewing hostilities on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg. After defeating Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad, respectively, in the quarterfinals, Barça came away with a 0-1 victory from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu and will look to finish things off in front of their adoring fans at the Camp Nou.
Copa Clásico key to historical record
It will be the 254th competitive Madrid vs Barcelona clash ever played, with, incredibly, Madrid having recorded 101 victories to the 100 of Barça, thanks to the recent two for the Catalans. The teams could not be separated in the other 52.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team will be seeking to avoid three defeats in quick succession -- a LaLiga loss coming between the cup games -- and will seek revenge after the loss in the Spanish Super Cup final (1-3) in January.
While the Champions League is still very much alive for the reigning title holders, Xavi Hernández’s men are targeting a domestic double, after being knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United. LaLiga is almost certainly theirs given the gap they have opened up and they already have one foot in the final of the cup.
Madrid or Barça, who dominates in the Copa del Rey?
The Copa del Rey tournament has traditionally been considered the third most important title in a season for any of both clubs. The Champions League is seen as the No. 1 objective for either Madrid or Barcelona, then it’s LaLiga, and in the third position comes the Copa del Rey title.
Barcelona is the most successful club in the competition, with 31 titles, followed by Athletic Club, with 23, and Real Madrid with 19 titles.
The last time the Blaugranes lifted the trophy was back in 2021, while Los Blancos haven’t been able to go all the way in the competition since 2014. Barcelona have defeated Real Madrid in three of their last four two-legged ties in the tournament.