Copa del Rey Final: Barça, far superior line by line to Real Madrid

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid arrive at the Copa del Rey final in contrasting moments of the season. Hansi Flick's team is aiming for the treble, displaying their best football in the last five years and currently being the team in the best form on the planet.

The 'merengues', on the other hand, seem condemned to live a very painful end of cycle with Carlo Ancelotti on the bench, physically and mentally annihilated by a season where sports planning and signings have been disastrous. Line by line, this is how Barcelona and Madrid arrive at La Cartuja for the Cup final.

Szczesny, a lucky charm for the Blaugrana goal

In goal, there is an evident parity. Wojciech Szczesny has become a lucky charm for Barça this 2025, adding 13 clean sheets and only 1 defeat in 25 matches (24 goals). The Pole came out of retirement in October and has shown an exceptional level this year in all competitions.

Thibaut Courtois, on the other hand, has been the only Real Madrid reference who has maintained his usual level in 24-25. The Belgian usually makes at least 3-4 notable saves per match, keeping alive a team with an improvised defense. So far, he has 14 clean sheets in 42 matches (44 goals).

Barça's defense, much more reliable

In defense, despite the absence of Alejandro Balde, Barça undoubtedly looks much better positioned. The great understanding of the Pau Cubarsí-Iñigo Martínez duo has given the team the necessary security to endure the entire season with the defensive line practically installed in the center of the field, turning offside into their best ally.

On the flanks, Jules Koundé is currently the best in the world in his position, while Gerard Martín has also stepped up when the team has needed him.

Carlo Ancelotti's team, on the other hand, has faced the season patching things up. Without Dani Carvajal (injured) and after Nacho's departure, the 'merengue' defense has been a real sieve. To make matters worse, Éder Militao and David Alaba were also in the infirmary for almost the entire season.

Raúl Asencio's debut gave some stability, but Antonio Rüdiger clearly can't handle it physically anymore. And, on the flanks, Ferland Mendy hasn't been healthy either, so Lucas Vázquez and Fran García have been exposed throughout the season, especially in the Clásicos, where Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have destroyed them in La Liga (0-4) and Supercopa (2-5).

• Goals conceded by Barça: 56 in 52 matches (5 in 5 Cup matches): 1.07 per match.
• Goals conceded by Barça: 64 in 56 matches (8 in 5 Cup matches): 1.14 per match.

The midfield, the key to Barcelona's superiority over Madrid

Pedri González with Barça in the match against RCD Mallorca in LaLiga EA Sports

However, the biggest difference, line by line between both teams, is evident in the midfield. Barça has two midfielders in exceptional form, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, who have the job of managing the ball and giving meaning to the Blaugrana game.

The high pressure that characterizes Flick's Barça makes sense thanks to the balls recovered by both and the impeccable work of the Canary Islander in the transfer. The '8' sets the tempo of the team, giving pause and verticality as the team needs it.

Madrid, on the other hand, has not been able to find a solution to the absence of Toni Kroos. All season, the team has lacked order and a safe exit with the ball in the absence of a 'playmaker' and a reliable pivot. Aurélien Tchouaméni has been far below the expected level and Jude Bellingham, although he contributes a lot in attack, neglects the work of marking and recovery.

Regarding statistics, Pedri (5G/7A), Frenkie (2G/2A) and Olmo (10G/6A) accumulate 17 goals and 14 assists. On the bench, Barça has Gavi (3G/3A) and Fermín López (5G/9A), in addition to Eric García (3/2A) as alternatives.

Tchouaméni (1G/1A), Ceballos (2A) and Bellingham (13/G/13A), on the other hand, add 14 goals and 16 assists. To this production can be added that of Fede Valverde (9G/8A), who will return to his usual position if Lucas Vázquez enters the side. Also that of Luka Modric (4G/7A), who will surely have minutes in the second half.

• Goals and assists produced by Barça's midfield: 18G/14A.
• Goals and assists produced by Madrid's midfield: 14G/16A.

Madrid's attack, inferior despite Lewandowski's absence

31 assists and a golden partnership: Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are sweeping at Barça

And, in attack, the comparison between tridents slightly favors the 'merengues' due to the absence of Robert Lewandowski. Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres will be starters at La Cartuja, all three capable of scoring 61 goals in 24-25.

The Brazilian has 30 goals, while the 'Shark' remains at 17 goals, 4 more than Lamine (14). The Madrid attack, on the other hand, combines for 65 goals between Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius and Rodrygo.

The Frenchman has 32 goals in all competitions, 12 more than Vini. Rodrygo, on the other hand, has only 13 goals this season. Thus, there is a 4-goal difference between tridents, thanks to the absence of the 'LRL' in Seville.

And, only Lewandowski (40 goals), accounts for 61.53% of the goals scored by the entire starting trident of Madrid. If we add the 40 goals of 'Lewy' to the 30 of Raphinha and the 14 of Lamine, the Blaugrana total shoots up to 84 goals, 19 more than the Madrid offensive trident.

In addition, Barça also has a clear advantage in terms of participation in goals. Between Rafa (22), Yamal (20) and Ferran (4), the Blaugrana trident of the Cup final accumulates 46 assists and 111 direct participations in goals. Kylian (4), Vini (14) and Rodrygo (10) have only given 28 goal passes between the three. The difference, without a doubt, is abysmal.

To make matters worse, Mbappé will be doubtful until the last minute at Real Madrid, as he is still dragging discomfort in his right ankle. If 'Kiki' fails to be at his best to enter the XI, Endrick would take his place.

The Brazilian is the top scorer for the Whites in the Cup, with 5 goals in as many matches. So far, the 18-year-old striker has only 700 minutes of action in 33 matches.