FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Probable Lineups for the Copa del Rey Final

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face each other this Saturday, April 26, 2025 in the 2024-2025 Copa del Rey final. The 'Azulgrana' team is looking for its 32nd title in the tournament and the first step towards a new treble.

After an intense semi-final against Atlético de Madrid, Barça arrives undefeated in the Cup with a balance of 4 wins and 1 draw in which they scored 19 goals, conceding another 5. Hansi Flick's team, in addition, are leaders of LaLiga and semi-finalists of Champions, a month before the end of the season.

We review the possible starting lineup, the substitutes bench and the injured and sanctioned players of Barcelona.

Hansi Flick's possible lineup for Barcelona vs Real Madrid ¡Complete analysis!

Probable starting XI of Barça: 

1. (#25, GK) Szczesny
2. (#23) Koundé
3. (#02) Pau Cubarsí
4. (#05) Iñigo Martínez
5. (#35) Gerard Martín
6. (#21) Frenkie de Jong
7. (#08) Pedri
8. (#20) Dani Olmo
9. (#19) Lamine Yamal
10. (#11) Raphinha
11. (#07) Ferran Torres

Barça's bench (substitute players): 

1. (#01, GK) Ter Stegen
2. (#13, GK) Iñaki Peña
3. (#04) Ronald Araujo
4. (#06) Gavi
5. (#10) Ansu Fati
6. (#14) Pablo Torre
7. (#15) Andreas Christensen
8. (#16) Fermín López
9. (#18) Pau Víctor
10. (#24) Eric García
11. (#32) Héctor Fort

Injured players of Barça:

1. (#03) Alejandro Balde
2. (#09) Robert Lewandowski
3. (#17) Marc Casadó
4. (#28) Marc Bernal

Sanctioned players of Barça:

1. None (there are no sanctioned players)

In principle, Flick plans to make several adjustments to his lineup compared to the match against Mallorca. 

Goalkeeper and defense:

• Szczesny will be in goal, while Koundé and Gerard Martín will return to the flanks after a day of rest. In the center of the defense, Iñigo Martínez will occupy the place of Ronald Araujo, accompanying Pau Cubarsí.

Midfield:

• Another one who will be back on Saturday is Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman will once again be Pedri's partner in midfield, while Dani Olmo, a figure in the victories against Celta and Mallorca with a goal in each match, will once again be the team's attacking midfielder.

Forward:

• In attack, Raphinha and Ferran Torres complete the 'Azulgrana' attack alongside Lamine Yamal. The 'Shark', Barça's top scorer in the Cup (5) will be the team's '9' in the absence of Robert Lewandowski, injured since the match against Celta.

Sensitive Absences: Who are the injured players of Barça against Real Madrid?

The great novelty of the call for the Copa del Rey final, without a doubt, is the return of Marc-André ter Stegen. The German received medical discharge after seven months and 217 days of absence due to the rupture of the patellar tendon of his right leg, shortening his return by about a month.

However, the injuries of Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Casadó and Bernal represent a significant challenge for FC Barcelona in this decisive stretch of the season.

Below, we detail the individual impact of each absence due to injury in the team.

Robert Lewandowski (Starting center forward)

The Polish striker, without a doubt, will be the team's most sensitive absence to face Mallorca. Lewandowski was injured in the League match against Celta on Saturday, April 19.

• Impact: After scoring 25 goals in the 32 matchdays of LaLiga played so far, and although the '9' could not shake the nets against Betis (1-1), Leganés (0-1) and Celta (4-3), his presence in the area is key to freeing up spaces for Lamine and Raphinha, who lose their main reference.

• Consequences: In principle, 'Lewy' will be out for around two or three weeks, which means he will miss the Copa final against Real Madrid and the first leg of the 'semis' of Champions against Inter Milan. .

Alejandro Balde (Starting left back)

Alejandro Balde during the Madrid-Barça (2-5)

• Impact: Balde provides depth, speed and overflow on the left wing. His absence, although important, has been partially covered by Gerard Martín, who has performed correctly in defense and attack.

• Consequences: The team loses offensive capacity and surprise on that side, although defensive solidity is maintained. According to recent analysis, Balde's absence is significant but, of the current absences, it is the one that has the least impact thanks to the performance of his replacement.

Marc Casadó (Defensive midfielder)

• Impact: Casadó, usual in the rotation of the midfield, suffered a partial tear of the ligament and will be out for two months, probably missing the rest of the season.

• Consequences: His absence reduces refreshment options in the defensive pivot, especially when Flick needs to rotate or close matches. The squad has alternatives, but Casadó's absence limits depth in a key area, especially given the accumulation of minutes and the risk of sanctions or injuries to other midfielders.

Marc Bernal (Midfielder, central midfielder)

• Impact: Bernal, one of the revelations of the youth academy, suffered a serious knee injury (rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament) and says goodbye to the season.

• Consequences: His absence deprives the team of a physical and tactical profile that had provided balance and energy in the center of the field. Bernal was a valuable alternative for matches of high physical demand and his absence forces Flick to rely more on experienced players or to advance the progression of other young players.

In summary, the absences of Lewandowski, Balde, Casadó and Bernal force Flick to rethink his strategy for the match against Real Madrid. Defensive solidity, creativity in midfield and effectiveness in front of goal are affected, but the team trusts in the depth of its squad to overcome this challenge. 

Possible lineup of Real Madrid against FC Barcelona

• Initial XI: Courtois; Fede Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García; Dani Ceballos, Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr. and Mbappé.
• Bench: Lunin (GK), Fran González (GK), Lucas Vázquez, Alaba, Vallejo, Ferland Mendy, Gonzalo García, Luka Modric, Arda Güler, Brahim, Endrick.
• Injured: Dani Carvajal, Éder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga.
• Sanctioned: None.

Real Madrid arrives limping to the final stretch of the season. Carlo Ancelotti's team was eliminated from the Champions League by Arsenal after a resounding 5-1 aggregate in the quarterfinals and they have suffered a lot in the 'semis' of the Cup against Real Sociedad (4-4 in extra time). In addition, they will not be able to count, due to injury, with Dani Carvajal, Éder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga, three fixed starters for the Italian coach, with the exception of Camavinga.

David Alaba is also doubtful, who left with discomfort from the match against Getafe on Wednesday. In principle, 'Carletto' will once again trust Fede Valverde as right back, given the recurring defensive problems of Lucas Vázquez. Fran García will be the left back due to the absence of Mendy and the injury of Camavinga, in addition to the doubts about the physical condition of Mendy.

Asencio and Rüdiger will be back in the center of the defense, while Tchouaméni would partner in midfield with Dani Ceballos. The Utrera player played 58 minutes against Athletic and half an hour against Arsenal, after almost a month and a half injured. Ahead of them will be Jude Bellingham, accompanying the offensive trident formed by Rodrygo, Vini and Mbappé, another who arrives between cottons.

• 📌 Follow the Copa del Rey final live FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid in FCBN and find out everything don't miss anything!