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Don’t despair at Real Madrid! 5 reasons why they can beat Barcelona


Real Madrid will face Barcelona as a loser in the Copa del Rey Finals on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have already experienced two intense defeats this season at the hands of Catalan rivals. 4-0 in league clashes at the Santiago Bernabeu, 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup – chasing four-point table topper Barca in Lariga.

So is that a natural conclusion that Blaugrana would make it three out of three?

That’s not necessarily the case. Barca has undoubtedly identified five areas where if Madrid can get right, it will prove to be problematic with Hansiflic and Co.

Middle energy

The key to this is, as always, the Federico Valverde. It appears that Ancelotti will likely drop one of the “fabfours,” perhaps one of Rodrigos, and will strengthen the midfield area.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos are great players, just like veteran Luka Modric, but Valverde has no athleticism and energy.

There is an obvious temptation to play him on the right back to counter Rafinha’s threat, but that limits his influence. Ancelotti has to play him in his natural position, not just a spoiler, and oppose Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.

A little jude, time to deliver

Jude Bellingham gained a reputation as Madrid’s go-to man with the Santiago Bellnabeu, who consistently achieved important goals in his first season with the English midfielder Santiago Bellnabeu.

He finished with 23 goals and 13 assists in 43 matches in all competitions, playing a key role when Madrid landed in a La Liga and Champions League double.

This season hasn’t been that impressive for both the club and the players. He still has a very respectable 13 goals and 13 assists in 46 appearances, but has struggled to influence the game in recent weeks.

It could potentially be operating just behind Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., giving him a license to move forward in the floor or in the air where it could become dangerous.

Join Barcelona’s inexperienced defense

If there is one area where Madrid looks strong, it’s an attack.

At Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., the capital club has the pace, tricks and eyes of goals to trouble any defense.

And, even if it’s perfect strength, Barca is not solid. They have conceded 32 goals in 33 La Liga games, the most in the top four, with Getafe in 12th or higher.

And with Alejandro Valde injured, the relatively inexperienced Gerald Martin, next to 18-year-old Poe Cubarsi, could begin at left back.

Before he beat the real Mallorca 1-0 in the middle of the weekBarca had recognized three goals for both Celta Vigo and Borussia Dortmund.

Take advantage of Lewandowski’s absence

There are several players who don’t have a impact on the strength of the lineup even without Barcelona. Robert Lewandowsky is not one of them.

Veteran Paul is one of the best number nine in world football, as shown by his record this season with 40 goals in 48 games.

His potential alternative, Ferran Torres, shows himself as a decent backup, but Barca’s main threat could come in the form of Ramin Yamal and Rafinha.

Lewandowski’s absence means that more focus can be focused on trying to stop the wizard of Barca’s wings.

Madrid: “Just find the way”

Few people can match Real Madrid when it comes to achieving it on a major opportunity. Especially in the finals, there is an aura about them.

They won the last nine Champions League finals they competed in, but did not lose since 1980-81 when the competition was known as the European Cup.

They played in five FIFA Club World Cup finals, all winning.

They also won three of the last four Copa del Rey finals.

It’s an amazing record, and if channeled correctly, all the experience gained along the way by serial winners such as Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr, and Kylian Mbappe is important.



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