Copa del Rey Clasico: Mbappe, Madrid Chase Redemption

‎Real Madrid’s European disappointment this season has been particularly painful for striker Kylian Mbappé and coach Carlo Ancelotti.

‎However, a victory in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Saturday could quickly alleviate that sting.

‎Earlier in April, Los Blancos were eliminated from the Champions League, losing to Arsenal 5-1 on aggregate, while their arch-rivals Barcelona advanced 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 exhilarating attacking play has propelled them to the top of La Liga, where they sit four points ahead of defending champions Real Madrid, with five matches left to play.

‎Following two significant defeats in this season’s Clasicos, 4-0 at home in La Liga and 5-2 in Saudi Arabia during the Spanish Super Cup final, Madrid must find their rhythm 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 11th in a huge clash in the title race.

‎Despite netting 33 goals this season across all competitions, Madrid’s top scorer, Mbappe, has become the face of a disappointing and potentially disastrous season.

‎When he appeared on the big screens at the Santiago Bernabéu last weekend, some fans responded with whistles.

‎However, in Madrid, such occasional criticisms are a rite of passage for its biggest stars. Even the club’s all-time leading scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, faced similar treatment at times.

‎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.

‎Hard to find balance

‎Ancelotti might consider a different approach for the Copa del Rey final, especially after Barcelona scored a total of nine goals in their two previous encounters this season.

‎The Italian coach is widely anticipated to be dismissed at the end of the season, despite having one year remaining on his contract.

‎However, concluding his tenure at Madrid with one or possibly two more trophies would provide a fitting climax to what has been a largely successful second spell.

‎Mbappe’s recent ankle injury may offer the coach a reason to start the match without the French forward and keep him as a dynamic option for the second half.

‎However, Mbappe struck both of Madrid’s goals in the January defeat in Saudi Arabia and, despite the recent whistles, has been the team’s best player in 2025 – not deploying him from the off may be too risky.

‎Ancelotti said Tuesday he expected the striker to be fit for the game and he trained on Thursday.

‎”We’ve changed our style of play a bit, we have players with different characteristics, and it’s been hard for us to find a balance,” said Ancelotti this week.

‎”If we find that balance, we can win.”

‎Rodrygo is the most likely player who could be benched if Ancelotti wants to add an extra midfielder to try and gain more control.

‎Since midfield maestro Toni Kroos retired last summer, Madrid has struggled to dominate in matches, while long-term injuries to Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and others have hurt at the back.

‎With his future in the air and a title on the line, Ancelotti may be tempted to divert from his “fantastic four” in search of redemption for Madrid’s season.

‎It might be the only short-term solution, with Madrid’s squad planning the underlying issue.

‎”We put in a lot of crosses, but this year we don’t have a Joselu, a born center-forward up there,” complained goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after the Arsenal defeat.

‎The fact that Madrid boasts some of the most renowned forwards in the game yet still misses the former Stoke and current Al Gharafa target man highlights the team’s current predicament.

‎Squad issues need to be addressed this summer, along with Ancelotti’s future.

‎However, for now, a win against Barcelona, regardless of how it’s achieved, can offer immediate relief.