Copa del Rey 2018-19: 5 factors that could decide the El Clasico
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will go head to head once again on Wednesday night at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The third El Clasico of this season is a decider of the Copa Del Rey finalist. The score from the first leg is tied at 1-1. Lucas Vazquez and Malcom were on the scoresheet at the Nou Camp.
It will be another interesting affair at the Bernabeu and there has to be a winner here. This will set up another Clasico just three days later in the LaLiga. The Clasico hardly ever ends scoreless and it wasn't so on the last 5 occasions. With Leo Messi poised to start in the Clasico and also Sergio Ramos, who was suspended for the Liga game back for selection, the mind games are about to begin, and so are the antics on the pitch.
Hernandez Hernandez is the referee for the game and the last game he officiated between these two sides was a comical affair. A red card for Sergi Roberto, a clear penalty denied to Real Madrid, he gave decisions that were poor and not biased in a game that ended 2-2. The man behind the screens on VAR is Mateu Lahoz, another controversial figure.
Well, referees are secondary, the game is primary. Let us focus on five factors that could decide the El Clasico.
#5 Away goal advantage: What do Madrid want to do?
So we have already mentioned that Real Madrid do have an away goal advantage. It means that if the score ends 0-0, then the Los Blancos move into the final. If the score ends 1-1, we go right into extra-time and also followed by the dreaded penalties. Talking in tennis terms, the ball is in Madrid's court for now. At least till the ref blows his starting whistle.
So what does Solari want here? Does he want to park the bus and get away with it or does he want to attack and make this safe? Solari is a very flexible coach, he changes up his tactics and is not adamant about any philosophy or stuff. We have seen Madrid dominate possession and win (vs Sevilla) and also hanging by the thread by blocking the defenses (vs Real Betis).
Madrid do have an away goal here. They have two good central midfielders who can defend and dribble out of danger zones. They have a good center back partnership and they have fast wingers. So, sit back and hit on the counter or attack first and then fall back? The decision is Solari's and both are equally feasible but the former is dangerously damaging.