Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid | Copa del Rey final | OneFootball

Having already won two games over Real Madrid with dominant scorelines this season, many Barcelona fans feel a third would be too good to be true. The script, after all, appears to be straight out of a fairytale if that unfolds.

Barcelona will be confident that they can inflict the unthinkable third Clasico defeat on Real Madrid tomorrow night, especially given the great run they have been on this year.

Both teams head into the game with vastly different mindsets, for Barcelona have a UCL semifinal to attend midweek, while Real Madrid see this game as the sole purpose of their week.

Yet, it goes without saying that Hansi Flick’s men will give their all on the field to inflict a defeat on the Merengues and take the trophy home.

On that note, Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid.

The toughest Clasico of the season

Barcelona have already beaten Real Madrid twice this season. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Going purely based on the results of the last two Clasicos, Barcelona are the clear favourite to win against Real Madrid in the final.

However, it must be noted that El Clasico is the last game on earth to be decided based on form.

After two thrashings at the hands of Flick’s men, Carlo Ancelotti would have learnt his lesson and devised a plan to exploit Barcelona’s weaknesses.

The great manager and tactician that he is, it is inevitable that Real Madrid will put up a stronger resistance against the Catalans in the Cup final, and Barcelona must be prepared for an uphill battle.

The last two Clasicos were not easy by any stretch and decided by Barcelona’s ability to capitalise on chances. One can expect Real Madrid to have a more solid defence, making it more difficult for Barcelona to open the scoring.

Word has it that the Italian coach is considering shifting to a 4-4-2 setup instead of the 4-3-3 he deployed in previous games. Rodrygo is likely to be sacrificed with a new midfielder coming in his place.

The extra man in midfield will serve to provide Los Blancos more control in the middle of the park, a department where Barcelona dominated them in previous matches. The game is thus closer to a 50:50 than a landslide win for Barcelona.

Pressing will be everything

Barcelona will have to press higher up the field. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

The key to Barcelona’s win tomorrow against Real Madrid, more than anything else, will be the ability of the Catalans to press high and put Los Blancos under pressure – something they did to perfection both times they played against them this season.

Real Madrid will likely line up with a low block to counter Barcelona’s scathing attack, and pressing up front to force the buildup out of the goalkeeper will be devastating for Los Blancos’ plans.

With Robert Lewandowski out and Ferran Torres likely to start, Flick can expect a very intense press from his forward four. Dani Olmo, after all, is also set for his first Clasico start.

Should Barcelona take the game to Real Madrid’s box, win duels in midfield and cut off the Merengues’ buildup right at the roots, they will create chances in abundance. Given their quality in attack, goals will flow in that case.

If Real Madrid get any control of the ball and break into transitions, however, Barcelona could end up in trouble. The high defensive line executed perfectly, and the pressing structure, thus, will dictate the result.

A must-win for the treble

Barcelona need to keep their treble hopes alive. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Losing the Copa del Rey final will not change much for Barcelona in terms of their season, for they are in the driver’s seat in La Liga and have a UEFA Champions League semifinal to compete in just days later.

The Blaugrana, however, have never been ones to sacrifice one competition for the other and are one of the only clubs to have won a treble in the past. The dream this season is to win all three competitions again, making tomorrow’s game essential.

While the Cup final would normally be a minor achievement when compared to the league or the UCL, a defeat tomorrow will immediately end Barcelona’s hopes of winning the treble this season.

Taking Real Madrid to the cleaners and securing the second trophy of the season, thus, will mean a lot to the dressing room as it will get them one big step closer to the special dream.

Needless to say, defeating Real Madrid will also give them the best possible momentum heading into the UCL semifinal against Inter Milan.