Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Date: Wednesday, 30th January K/o: 3:00pm EST/10pm GMT
Team News
Real Madrid are without key defenders Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao for the first leg of this Copa Del Rey encounter, with the duo out through suspension. Angel di Maria is also out, along with center-back Pepe and captain Iker Casillas. Barcelona have no injury concerns and Tito Vilanova will have a full squad to choose from.
Match Preview
Barcelona travel to the Bernabeu tonight for the first-leg of this Copa Del Rey encounter, and as with any modern day El Classico, this barnstormer will see two of the world's finest players go head to head. Lionel Messi has been in fine form following a record-breaking year in 2012 and scored four past Osasuna in the league and has netted in the last 16 games he has started. Ronaldo meanwhile has scored two hat-tricks this month and will be out with a point to prove after missing out on the Ballon d'Or yet again to his Argentinian nemesis. Barcelona are runaway leaders in La Liga and are a whopping fifteen points above tonight's opponents, who are the current reigning champions of Spain. A cup clash however is a different matter entirely and Jose Mourinho's men will be looking to get one over on their great rivals ahead of the return leg at the Nou Camp.
Likely Line-Ups
Real Madrid Lopez, Essien, Varane, Albiol, Arbeloa, Alonso, Khedira-Higuain, Ozil, Ronaldo, Benzema
Barcelona Pinto, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas, Pedro, Messi, Iniesta Source:
News One