The date and channel for the Real Madrid match against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey 2022-2023

The La Liga title race temporarily takes a backseat for El Clasico equals Actual Madrid as well as Barcelona, that lock horns in the initial leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Bernabeu on Thursday night.

Los Blancos beat city competitors Atletico Madrid 3-1 in the last eight to proceed this much, while Xavi's side needed simply the one goal to remove Genuine Sociedad.

With a remarkable quadruple still a distinctive possibility heading right into the spring months, Genuine Madrid's prize cupboard is itching to invite an additional Copa del Rey crown, which rather unbelievably has actually not been won by Los Blancos since the 2013-14 project.

Cacereno and Villarreal both fell to the superiority of Real Madrid before a demanding examination versus Atletico awaited in the quarter-finals, where Alvaro Morata would certainly return to haunt his old club, however Rodrygo required extra time prior to Karim Benzema as well as Vinicius Junior conserved Los Blancos' bacon.

Another Madrid derby with Los Rojiblancos in La Liga would not be a smooth affair for Carlo Ancelotti's men either, as breakout teenage celebrity Alvaro Rodriguez engaged himself to the Bernabeu faithful with a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw, which puts Los Blancos 7 factors behind Barcelona in the La Liga standings.

Barcelona's shock loss to Almeria indicates that there is still a glimmer of expect Actual Madrid, whose five-game winning run in all events was given an upright Saturday night, as well as a first Copa del Rey semi-final since the 2018-19 campaign now lies in wait.

That year, Actual attracted the very first leg of their semi-final clash with Barcelona 1-1 prior to bowing out with a 3-0 loss at the Bernabeu, yet with type and also physical fitness concerns working against them, the most recent instalment of El Clasico might barely have actually come at an even worse time for La Blaugrana.

With one opportunity to success in the Europa League currently shut off courtesy of Manchester United, Barcelona's requirement for delight in the Spanish top trip has ended up being ever extra dire, so it was no surprise to see Xavi conquer with fierceness following Sunday's dismayed to Almeria.

Actually, a Luis Suarez was among the engineers behind Barcelona's downfall - not La Blaugrana's former Uruguayan luminary, though - as the Colombia worldwide set up El Bilal Toure for the video game's only objective in the 24th min of the suit, stopping Xavi's side from going 10 factors clear on top.

An unassailable seven-point gorge is nevertheless a healthy benefit for the success-starved Catalans, yet suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time since April is not what the medical professional ordered prior to El Clasico, and also neither is an injury to star striker Robert Lewandowski.

One-nil was additionally the scoreline when Barcelona defeated 10-man Genuine Sociedad in the Copa del Rey quarters - Ousmane Dembele's effort showed crucial that day - and Xavi's side have actually additionally avoided large killings versus Intercity and Ceuta to advance to the semi-finals for the 11th time in 13 seasons.

Thursday's very first leg will certainly note the 252nd affordable Clasico in between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the latter of whom won 3-1 in January's Supercopa de Espana final, yet Los Blancos dominated by the very same scoreline at the Bernabeu back in October, and also the odds are stacked greatly in their favour to obtain a first-leg benefit here.

During their quarter-final gain Atletico in January, Real Madrid lost Ferland Mendy to a thigh injury which is yet to heal, as well as he has actually since been taken part the therapy space by Rodrygo and David Alaba, who were casualties of their Champions League last-16 very first leg gain Liverpool.

Rodrygo has actually made a quick return to training and could make himself available, yet Alaba is sure to miss out, while Luka Modric will certainly offer a suspension versus Genuine Betis this weekend break yet is fine to line up below.

Currently completely recovered from a round of flu, Aurelien Tchouameni can freshen up the Blancos midfield alongside Modric - who was just an alternative against Atletico at the weekend break - which might push Federico Valverde even more forward instead of Marco Asensio.

As pointed out, Barcelona have actually suffered an unexpected injury strike with Lewandowski, that endured a hamstring injury during the weekend break's defeat to Almeria. The Catalans have not positioned a timeframe on his recuperation, however he makes sure to watch this set from the sidelines.

Ousmane Dembele and also Pedri are likewise out of opinion with their own upper leg issues, but on a brighter note, Xavi is confident that Ansu Fati's wounded knee will certainly heal in time for the first leg.

The 20-year-old is one choice to deputise for Lewandowski via the middle, however Ferran Torres should get approval as the number 9, permitting Raphinha to return out broad after his strange post-Manchester United injury - damaging his foot by kicking a fridge out of rage following his replacement.

Genuine Madrid feasible starting schedule:

. Barcelona feasible starting lineup:.

We claim: Actual Madrid 2-0 Barcelona.

Barcelona may have recent when it concerns mug success against their bitter competitors, yet Lewandowski's injury has only added to the insult of current results, and the loss of Pedri is evidently impacting the Blaugrana circulation as well.

In contrast, Ancelotti's celebrity names in midfield ought to be revitalized and getting ready to go along with Benzema - that was significantly missing from FIFA's The Best honors with the very first leg in mind - and we can only back Real Madrid to take a two-goal benefit to Camp Nou for the second leg on April 5.