Real Madrid – Barça Final (Copa del Rey): The Terrible Mistake That Carlo Ancelotti Will Not Make Again

On April 26, Real Madrid and Barcelona will renew their historic rivalry in the Copa del Rey final at Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium. For Carlo Ancelotti, this rematch of the 2014 final—famously decided by Gareth Bale’s iconic solo goal—represents not just a chance for silverware but an opportunity to rectify tactical errors that cost Madrid dearly in their two previous Clásico defeats this season.

A Season of Clásico Heartbreak
Real Madrid’s 4-0 La Liga humiliation at the Bernabéu in October 2024 and their 5-2 collapse in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia three months later exposed glaring defensive frailties. Both matches saw Ancelotti’s backline dismantled by Barça’s relentless pressing and clinical finishing. The Italian manager’s experimental defensive setups, including deploying midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni as a center-back and Lucas Vázquez at right-back, backfired spectacularly.

The Defensive Reckoning
Ancelotti’s reliance on makeshift defenders in those matches proved disastrous. Against Barça’s dynamic attack—spearheaded by Lamine Yamal’s dribbling and Robert Lewandowski’s poaching—the disjointed backline lacked cohesion. Éder Militão, still recovering from his ACL injury, looked off the pace, while Ferland Mendy’s positional lapses on the left flank left gaping holes. These errors culminated in Madrid conceding nine goals across the two Clásicos, a statistic that haunted the squad during their winter slump.

Raúl Asencio: The Emergence of a Defensive Pillar
The revelation of 22-year-old academy graduate Raúl Asencio has transformed Madrid’s defensive outlook. Since partnering Antonio Rüdiger in central defense, Asencio’s composure, aerial dominance, and ability to play out from the back have stabilized the backline. His emergence allowed Ancelotti to return Tchouaméni to his natural defensive midfield role, where the Frenchman has since excelled in breaking up play and launching counterattacks.

Valverde’s Reinvention as a Right-Back
Another tactical masterstroke has been Federico Valverde’s redeployment as a hybrid right-back. The Uruguayan’s tireless work rate, defensive awareness, and overlapping runs have addressed Madrid’s long-standing weakness on the right flank. Valverde’s physicality has neutralized threats like Barça’s Gavi, while his chemistry with Jude Bellingham on the wing has added a new dimension to Madrid’s attack.

Learning from Super Cup Disaster
The 5-2 Super Cup loss in Riyadh was a watershed moment. Ancelotti’s decision to start Dani Ceballos in midfield backfired as Barça overran Madrid’s engine room. Ilkay Gündogan’s hat-trick exposed the lack of defensive support from Ceballos and Toni Kroos, prompting Ancelotti to abandon the double pivot experiment. Since then, Eduardo Camavinga’s inclusion as a ball-winning midfielder has restored balance.

The Mendy Conundrum
Left-back Ferland Mendy remains a lingering concern. While defensively sound, his reluctance to overlap and limited contribution in buildup play have stifled Madrid’s left-wing attacks. Against Barça’s marauding right-back Jules Koundé, Mendy’s conservative approach could leave Vinícius Júnior isolated. Ancelotti has tested Fran García in recent weeks, but the Spaniard’s defensive lapses make him a risky alternative.

Barça’s Tactical Evolution Under Hansi Flick
Since Hansi Flick’s appointment in December 2024, Barça has adopted a high-pressing, vertical style reminiscent of his Bayern Munich tenure. The emergence of Lamine Yamal as a false nine and Alejandro Balde’s rampaging runs from left-back have added unpredictability. Ancelotti must counter this by instructing Madrid’s full-backs to tuck inward, forcing Barça’s wingers into crowded central areas.

The Mbappé Factor
Kylian Mbappé’s integration into Madrid’s attack has been a mixed bag, but his recent form suggests he’s peaking at the right time. The Frenchman’s pace and movement terrorized Barça’s high line in their last Liga meeting, and his chemistry with Vinícius is slowly blossoming. Mbappé’s tendency to drift left could exploit Ronald Araújo’s lack of agility, creating 1v1 opportunities against the Uruguayan center-back.

Vinícius’ Redemption Arc
Vinícius Júnior, anonymous in the previous Clásicos, faces immense pressure to deliver. Barça’s physical marking—led by Andreas Christensen—has stifled him, but Ancelotti has tweaked his role. By positioning him wider and encouraging early crosses, Vinícius can exploit Balde’s defensive naivety. His duel with Koundé, a battle of speed vs. strength, could decide the match.

Bellingham’s Free Role
Jude Bellingham’s hybrid midfield role remains key. Barça’s Frenkie de Jong will likely shadow him, but Bellingham’s knack for late runs into the box could overwhelm Oriol Romeu. Ancelotti may deploy Bellingham as a false nine intermittently, dragging Barça’s center-backs out of position to create space for Mbappé.

Set-Piece Supremacy
Madrid’s aerial dominance—bolstered by Rüdiger and Asencio—could exploit Barça’s vulnerability on corners and free kicks. Barça has conceded seven goals from set pieces this season, a weakness Ancelotti has drilled his team to target. Toni Kroos’ pinpoint deliveries and Nacho’s near-post runs will be critical.

The Mental Battle
Ancelotti has emphasized psychological readiness, recalling how Madrid’s composure crumbled in Riyadh. “We must control the tempo, not the emotions,” he told the squad. Veterans like Luka Modrić and Nacho have led meditation sessions to ease pressure on younger players.

The X-Factor: Rodrygo’s Impact Off the Bench
Rodrygo’s clutch gene in big matches makes him a potent supersub. If Barça’s defense tires, his dribbling and off-ball movement could unlock stubborn lines. Ancelotti has rehearsed scenarios where Rodrygo replaces Valverde, pushing Bellingham deeper to overload midfield.

Ancelotti’s Pledge: “No More Experiments”
The Italian has vowed to avoid overcomplicating tactics. “We play to our strengths now,” he stated, hinting at a 4-3-3 with clear defensive roles. This disciplined approach contrasts with earlier gambles and reflects lessons hard-learned.

A Final for Legacy
For Ancelotti, this final is about more than silverware—it’s about proving his adaptability. A win would silence critics who labeled him tactically stagnant; a loss could reignite calls for Xabi Alonso’s appointment. For Madrid, it’s a chance to reclaim supremacy in Spain’s fiercest rivalry and lay the groundwork for a potential treble.