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Upcoming Opponents: Real Madrid

Team name: Real Madrid Club de Fútbol

Recent form: W-W-W-L-W

One to watch: Gonzalo Higuaín

Competition: Copa del Rey

Fixture date: 18th January 2012

Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu

The second Clásico of the season comes on Wednesday when Barcelona travel to the capital to for the quarter final of the Copa del Rey. Both sides will be eager to get off to a good start but with home advantage, Madrid will be feeling the more confident of the two sides. 

Barcelona will not be fretting too much though as the last time the two sides met at the Bernabéu, the Catalans left with a 3-1 win. This defeat was only 1 of 2 defeats Madrid have suffered this season. Real Madrid had started the brightest and through a 1st minute goal from Karim Benzema, found themselves leading. But the Catalans eventually got the better of their rivals and finished the game victors.

The reigning champions will still be a tough challenge though with many predicting a Madrid win. Los Blancos' league form this year has been very impressive, only dropping points on three occasions. Many pundits have suggested that Real Madrid's continued run of good form is due to the immense strength in the depth that they have. A luxury Barcelona do not have themselves.

But there does seem to be a road block every time Mourinho's men face Barcelona. In the past few years rarely has a Madrid player consistently performed in a Clásico, unlike Messi and co. The most disappointing player has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2008 Ballon d'Or winner rarely has an effect in these high pressure games. A fact Mourinho himself highlighted causing Ronaldo to become frustrated with him and news reports have been circulating of a tension between the two.

It would appear that Ronaldo's relationship with the fans is at an all time low too. Proven by the Porteguse winger refusing to celebrate after his goal in the 5-1 victory over Granada. But fans should not forget that is was in fact Ronaldo who earned the victory over Barcelona in last year's Copa del Rey final. Plus Ronaldo has been "working like an animal" according to the Real manager as part of his effort to finally show his brilliance in a Clásico. 


Mourinho does not hold the strongest record against Barça. Having won only one in his eight encounters against the Catalans, he will be hoping to use the momentum his side have in order to overthrow Barcelona. But his chances have taken a blow as news has broke out that Ángel
Di Maria sustained a knock in training and will not face Barcelona on Wednesday night.

Di Maria has been a key factor in Real's league success, scoring four goals but more importantly assisting thirteen others. The highest assist tally at Madrid and in the whole of La Liga. The loss of him will have a huge impact on the number of chances created by Real Madrid.

One big issue for Barcelona is as it is the Copa del Rey, they will play with their second choice goalie Pinto. In the last eight encounters Barcelona have only lost once and on that one occasion Pinto was the man between the sticks. Guardiola remains faithful though and won't risk playing Valdés.

Vice-captain Xavi believes the key to success in this game will once again be Lionel Messi. "Leo will always make the difference, he's usually a decisive player and he's someone who grows with these games and likes playing in these games." Xavi told the club website. 

Being a mid week cup tie, you can't expect there to be the same high level of energy and aggression shown in La Liga's Clásicos, but neither side will take it lightly. It is hard to pick a predicted winner as it all comes down to who wants it the most on the night and the results could swing either way. Both Madrid and Barcelona will want to win but neither side can stand the thought of losing.
 

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