The stage is all set for one of the most entertaining, intriguing and scintillating encounters in club football, the EL CLASICO.

In less than 2 hours, Real Madrid will be hosting Barcelona at the Bernabeu for the return leg of the 2018/2019 Copa Del Rey Semifinal. The first leg on February 6th ended in a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid holding the advantage with an away goal. A goalless draw between both teams would see Real Madrid progress to the final but do you expect Barcelona to exit without a fight?

Real Madrid

If there is any word to qualify Real Madrid's display this season, it is inconsistency. Mainly as a result of changes in coaches, players and tactics from last season, the team has undergone series of changes and it has clearly affected their display negatively for most part of the ongoing season. Their season has been more of a roller-coaster ride but improved after the promotion of former player and Castilla coach Santiago Solari to take over the managerial position of the first team at least until they recruit a more experienced manager.

However, just like former coach Zinedine Zidane's stint at the club, Solari has done a great job with the team in the space of three months. He has brought calm and consistency back into the team, mixing experience and young energy and it has without doubt, paid dividends.

Solari would be hoping his team put their past two successive unimpressive displays against Girona and Levante especially a loss against the former while they face Barcelona. Vinicius Junior one of Real Madrid's most promising youngster and Sergio Reguilon, the Almighty Marcelo's surprising replacement would look to mix with other experienced veterans in the team and lead them past the Blaugurana.

Barcelona

The Copa Del Rey is turning out to be the most prestigious trophy for Barcelona, no mocking intended. They have won it more time than any other team in the Spanish division and have for the past four seasons. The last time they met Real Madrid in the latter stages of the competition was in a final five years ago when they were beaten by 2 goals to 1. They seek to retain the trophy by winning Real Madrid tonight and with a full squad available bar injuries to goalkeeper Cillessen and defender Thomas Vermealean and a doubtful Arthur who was included in the squad at the last minute, they appear very much prepared for the clash.

Barcelona come into this match at the back of a 4-2 hard fought win against Sevilla in the league which would have been apparently unlikely had they not been without Lionel Messi, with the Argentine scoring a hat trick to end Sevilla's hope for securing something from the tie after going ahead twice.

Conclusion

This is going to be a do or die encounter as it is very likely the winner of the tournament would be decided in the semis. So many factors would be deciding the match, such as the coach's starting line up and tactics and as well, substitutions.

Both teams have enough quality both on the pitch and on the bench and at the end of the day, the best team would win.

THANKS FOR READING..