Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night, aiming to secure their place in the Copa del Rey final.
Despite their dominance in Spanish football, Madrid have only lifted this trophy once since 2014.
That statistic underlines how often the Copa del Rey has been secondary to the club’s bigger ambitions in La Liga and the Champions League.
However, manager Carlo Ancelotti insists the competition still holds significance. “Being so close to a final motivates me, the players and the club,” he said.
The demands on this Madrid squad have been relentless. A tight league race with Barcelona and an upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal means every match carries weight.
The congested fixture list has forced Ancelotti to rely on squad rotation.
“The biggest problem with the calendar is not having enough time to prepare for games,” he added. “We have to manage it and hope that one day, we will get longer for players to recover.”
That management will be crucial against Sociedad. The visitors are 10th in La Liga, but their Copa del Rey run has given their season meaning.
While their recent form has been poor, they will take confidence from their 4-3 win at the Bernabeu in this competition four years ago.
Madrid’s narrow one-goal first-leg advantage means the tie remains in the balance.
Ancelotti has hinted at squad rotation but remains cautious with his defensive selections. With Ferland Mendy recovering from injury, Fran Garcia is likely to continue at left-back.
Further forward, Endrick could feature after impressing in previous rounds. “He’s always made the most of his minutes,” Ancelotti noted. “It’s just a case of competition, which is normal at this club.”
Madrid’s ability to navigate difficult situations has been a recurring theme under Ancelotti. Their 3-2 win over Leganes at the weekend was another example of their resilience.
However, defensive lapses remain a concern. “We’re perhaps a little less solid at the back than we were last year,” Ancelotti admitted. “Big injuries in defence have cost us some solidity.”
Madrid’s focus will be tested again on Tuesday. With a packed schedule and bigger targets ahead, their ability to balance priorities could define their season.
