Real Madrid will look to book a slot in the final of the Copa del Rey when they host Real Sociedad in the semi-final second leg.
Real Sociedad face a daunting challenge as they look to overturn a one-goal deficit against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu to secure a place in the Copa del Rey final.
The home team are in contention for all major titles despite not having the best of starts to the season. Los Blancos are level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona and are gearing up for a quarter-final tie against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.
Having already secured a 1-0 win in the first leg, the Merengues will be confident about getting the job done in the second leg at home. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 3-2 win over CD Leganes. Despite not being at their best, this did get the job done.
The visitors are tenth on the table with just 38 points to their name. Securing a top-six finish looks very difficult, but they can certainly push for the Copa del Rey title. While the first leg did not go as planned, they remain very much in contention, trailing by just a single goal.
Real Sociedad are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid, and it will certainly give them some confidence as they gear up for this away fixture against the team in white. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
While Thibaut Courtois will be back fit, Andriy Lunin should continue in goal as he has been the regular starter in the Copa del Rey. The home team will remain without the services of Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, and Jesus Vallejo.
Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Federico Valverde, and Aurelien Tchouameni should all return to the starting XI for this semi-final clash.
Carlo Ancelotti should stick with the 4-4-2 formation, where Lunin will be in goal for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad. Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia should be the full-backs, while Raul Asencio should continue to partner Antonio Rudiger in the heart of the defence.
Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham will feature on the flanks, while Federico Valverde will start alongside Aurelien Tchouameni in the centre of the park. Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe should feature up top in the strike partnership.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lunin; Vazquez, Asensio, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Rodrygo, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Predicted XI
Real Sociedad
Ander Barrenetxea, who missed their last outing because of suspension, is back in the mix. But Real MSociedad do remain without the services of Nayef Aguerd, Sheraldo Becker, Arsen Zakharyan, and Jon Pacheco against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Brais Mendez has a race against time to be fit for this fixture.
The visitors will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Alex Remiro will be in goal. Hamari Traore and Aihen Munoz could be the full-backs, while Igor Zubeldia should partner with Aritz Elustondo in central defence.
Martin Zubimendi will be the holding midfielder, while Luka Sucic and Pablo Marín will be in his support in in the middle of the park. They will look to ensure the Real Madrid midfielders do not dictate the pace of this game. Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Mikel Oyarzabal should lead the line for Real Sociedad against Real Madrid.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Elustondo, Munoz; Sucic, Zubimendi, Marin; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Predicted XI
Key Stats
Real Madrid have won each of their last four games against Real Sociedad.
The visitors are pushing for their fourth Copa del Rey title, while Real Madrid are looking to lift it for the 21st time.
Real Sociedad last won the Copa del Rey back in 2019/20.
Real Madrid have won each of their last five home games across competitions.
Sociedad defeated Real Madrid 4-3 at Bernabeu in the Copa del Rey back in February 2020.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Embed from Getty Images
Mbappe might not have had the best of starts to life at Real Madrid, but he has certainly been their best player in the second half of the season. He has already matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal tally from his debut season, netting 33 times in the ongoing campaign. The French international is in fine form and could end up being the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad
Real Madrid might not have been at their best this season, but they still manage to get the job done on most occasions. While their focus will be on other competitions, Los Blancos will still come into this fixture focused on making it to the final. Real Sociedad will look to script an upset, but it might not be their day. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Carlo Ancelotti and his charges (3-1 on aggregate).