MADRID:
Real Madrid’s European failure this season stung, in particular for striker Kylian Mbappe and coach Carlo Ancelotti, but a Copa del Rey final victory over Barcelona on Saturday would rapidly ease the pain.
Los Blancos crashed out of the Champions League 5-1 on aggregate against Arsenal earlier in April, while their arch-rivals Barca progressed to the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
The Catalans are dreaming of a potential quadruple and Madrid may take as much satisfaction in ending that possibility as in lifting the cup themselves.
Barcelona’s thrilling attacking football has also powered them to first place in La Liga, four points ahead of defending champions Madrid, with five matches remaining.
After two humbling defeats in the prior Clasicos this season, 4-0 at home in La Liga and 5-2 in Saudi Arabia in the Spanish Super Cup final, Madrid need to hit the right notes in Seville.
If Ancelotti can find the formula to throw off Barcelona’s rhythm, it would prove doubly useful as the teams meet again on May 11 in a huge clash in the title race.
Despite netting 33 goals this season across all competitions, Madrid’s top scorer, to some Mbappe has become the face of a disappointing, and potentially disastrous, season.
When he appeared on big screens at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend some fans whistled him — although at Madrid, the occasional barracking is a rite of passage for the biggest stars. Even their all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo suffered similar.
Last year Madrid won a La Liga and Champions League double, before reinforcing by signing the French striker, a player they had craved for years.
However Ancelotti has struggled all season to accommodate Mbappe without upsetting the balance of his team.
The problem is exacerbated when the coach lines up with all four of his attacking stars — Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes.
Ancelotti may look to try something different in the Copa del Rey final, after Barcelona hit a total of nine goals in their two meetings so far this season.
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