Barcelona and Real Madrid meet where old demons still linger | OneFootball

When Real Madrid and Barcelona face each other, the world comes to a standstill. And this Saturday, history is being written again as the final of the Copa del Rey is contested on neutral ground, at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. The stadium, with a capacity of around 70,000 fans, will witness one of the world's most thrilling derbies, this time with a trophy, and glory, on the line.

Barcelona steps into the final looking to further its dominance of the tournament. The Catalan club already boasts 31 Copa del Rey titles in its trophy cabinet, and an eventual 32nd would just make it the most successful club in the tournament. Real Madrid, on its part, considers the confrontation to be a golden opportunity: the chance to secure its 21st title and close in on the second-biggest winner, Athletic Bilbao, with 24 titles.

Recent memories lean in favor of Barcelona

If history is any guide in recent times, Barça supporters have every right to hope big. Barcelona won the two most recent El Clásico matches of the season. They dominated their respective opponents in the opening match of La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup final. Not just winning but dominating the proceedings, calling the shots, raising the tempo, and not leaving anybody doubting who was in charge of the field, Barcelona swept victory under the carpet.

But a Clásico's a Clásico. Whatever lesson this enmity tries to teach, it's this: favoritism lasts as long as the first whistle. Recall 2014, the last time the two met in a Copa del Rey final, when Real Madrid snatched away a 2-1 win that still causes pain to Barcelona's faithful even today. No one ever stepped onto the ground with ease whenever these two giants clashed.

A new stage for a century-old rivalry

Choosing La Cartuja as the venue to host the final brings a level of added piquancy. It will be the first Clásico ever played in Seville. More still, La Cartuja is currently the 17th different ground to host a competitive Barcelona v Real Madrid match, and the 25th overall including friendlies and other tournaments.

The history between these two giants has always been one of clashing on different grounds. Since 1902, starting at Madrid's Hippodrome, then Mestalla, Romareda, Vicente Calderón, and even other venues like Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium during the pandemic, the Clásico has traveled far and wide. Seville's turn now to witness the entire fury of this classic meeting at close range.