AVOID THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE FALL

A Barça in 'draw' will seek to surprise Real Madrid in the first leg of the 'semis' of the Cup

Published:1/03/2023 - 22:23h

Updated:2/03/2023 - 19:32h

Partidazo, like all Clasico, will be this Thursday at the Santiago Bernabéu. A Barça that wants to win again, will visit a Real Madrid that if it wants to be in the final of the Copa del Rey will need to leave with advantage of the first leg

The FC Barcelona arrives to this Thursday with almost everything against. Begin an eliminatory of semifinals in front of your rival maximum, with low importantísimas and after two defeats followed never will be a stage in which a so big team as it is it the Barcelona want to focus his last escollo before contesting the final by a title, one in which besides it is the winning maximum of the history with 31 celebrations.

Xavi Hernández will not be able to have three headlines as they are it Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Dembélé, having besides to several players between cottons and to a week of a new European elimination. However, the culés have cool the memory of that victory in the final of the Supercopa in front of the merengues, one in which they dominated the game the 90 minutes.

The big problem that will find this 2 March is that both teams arrive in moments very distinct. In spite of the tie madridista in League in the derbi in front of the Atleti, the ones of Ancelotti seem to have taken his second air of the season in the physical subject and save Praise and Mendy, no resentirán drops too important inside an eleven headline that has to a dangerous Vinicius, in addition to some inspired Ceballos and Camavinga.

First of all this will have to confront a Barça that fit goals in his last two meetings, something that would be vital that avoided in the Bernabéu if it wants to arrive with advantage to the turn. The reality is that with Ferran Torres and Raphinha, and perhaps Ansu, as only offensive letters, Xavi will have complicated to mark more than a goal in the Spanish capital, by what defend well during all the party will be the most important task.

They need big performances

Koundé, surely like head office, and Araújo of side in front of Vini will have to have a perfect night, whereas in the left Christensen or Marcos Alonso, as well as Balde, will be forced to not allowing that Rodrygo or Asensio can cause headaches, same case in the case that Carletto decide to throw to Valverde by this zone in his role of attacker/mediocampista so characteristic.

Thinking in the big duel that represents the visit to the Bernabéu this Thursday, Xavi went through the room of press and wanted to leave clear that the defeat the past weekend in front of Almería already is thing of the past. "We are well, from inside do an analysis of the defeat. It is not a subject anímico, neither physicist. It is a subject futbolístico, did not defend well the played of the goal and do not attack of the best possible way", explained the míster.

An integral team

"We have to be more team that never, so much in defence as in attack. In these parties the small details mark. It is necessary to be very brave, have personality and minimise the losses because they can hurt you with Vinicius, Valderde, Rodrygo, Benzema...", it wanted to explain also the trainer of the Barça on the rival that will have of the another side of the field.

On how it thinks to pose the party in front of the ones of Ancelotti, the egarense explained that "it is a very hard rival, that in a lot of moments does not dominate but have these mini phases that plant you in the goal. In League won us well and we win them well in Supercopa. I think that it will resolve in the turn", resolved Xavi.

The party in front of the merengues will pose several duels on the lawn, and surely those that can dominate more will be able to take out advantage in the marker. From the goal Ter Stegen and Courtois will be the safe of life of both teams; Koundé will have to handle very well the movements of Benzema, Raphinha will have to impose in front of Nacho out of position and Araújo will have to do disappear to Vinicius.

A favourable history

The last time that both teams found in Glass of the King the Barça achieved to advance, and also went in some semifinals. In the 2018-2019 the Catalan club imposed with a global of 4-1 thanks to a goleada of 0-3 in the turn and besides dominates the historical register of clashes between both teams inside the competition with 8 classifications or triumphs, on 6 of the white team.