Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid will face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-finals
Real Madrid will lock horns against Barcelona in the semi-finals of the 2022/23 edition of Copa del Rey.
Los Blancos, who have not won the cup competition in over eight years, made it this far after getting the better of Cacereno, Villarreal, and neighbours Atletico Madrid in three difficult, hard-fought encounters.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are already losing ground in the La Liga title race. So, it becomes even more important for Real Madrid to stay alive in Copa del Rey and go the distance in the tournament.
But for that to happen, they will have to get past Barcelona in the semi-finals. They made it to this phase of the competition after defeating Intercity, AD Ceuta and Real Sociedad in the previous rounds.
There have already been two El Clasico matches played this season, with Real and Barcelona winning one each.
🆚 ¡Nuestro rival en las semifinales será el @FCBarcelona_es!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 30, 2023
🏆 #CopaDelRey | @adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/ZDlWDG9r7c
The other semi-final of the Copa del Rey sees Athletic Club face Osasuna.
The semi-final ties will be played over two home and away legs. The first-leg matches are scheduled on 1/2 March due to Real Madrid’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The second leg will be played in April depending on the two teams’ progression in Europa League and Champions League.
The finals of the Copa del Rey will be held on May 6 at Estadio de la Cartuja.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
