Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: Copa del Rey Preview

Setting the Scene

Los Blancos approach this decisive cup encounter with momentum behind them. A 3-2 win over Leganés at the weekend—powered by a Kylian Mbappé brace—kept them level on points with Barcelona in La Liga, although the Catalans edged back ahead 24 hours later. Despite their ongoing push for a league title and an upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal, Real Madrid remain firmly in contention on all fronts, and their cup ambitions are no exception.

Ancelotti’s side have lifted the Copa del Rey 20 times, making them the third most successful team in the competition’s history. However, they’ve won it just once in the last decade, and ending that drought would be a welcome addition to their potential treble ambitions.

Recent Form

Madrid have been in typically consistent form, winning four matches on the bounce in all competitions. Their victory at the Reale Arena in the first leg—a 19th-minute goal from teenage sensation Endrick—gives them the upper hand, and they have proven hard to beat at home this season.

By contrast, Real Sociedad are enduring a more turbulent domestic campaign. Currently 10th in La Liga, Imanol Alguacil’s side are far from the European qualification spots, and their 2-1 win over Valladolid at the weekend was their first victory in over a month.

Their inconsistent form has particularly been exposed away from home. La Real have lost five of their last six domestic matches on the road and haven’t beaten Real Madrid at the Bernabéu in the league since 2019. However, they can take inspiration from their memorable 4-3 Copa del Rey victory in Madrid back in 2020—a result that reminds everyone that this team is capable of pulling off an upset on the big stage.

Head-to-Head

• Real Madrid have won both meetings with Real Sociedad this season:
  • 1-0 in the first leg of this semi-final
  • 2-0 in La Liga back in September
• Real Sociedad's last victory at the Bernabéu in any competition came in February 2020 (4-3 in Copa del Rey).
• Madrid are unbeaten in their last six meetings with La Real in all competitions.

Team News

Real Madrid:

• Thibaut Courtois could return after missing the Leganés match with muscle fatigue, but Andriy Lunin is expected to retain his place as Ancelotti’s cup goalkeeper.
• Defenders Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, and Éder Militão remain sidelined with injuries, alongside Dani Ceballos.
• Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, Federico Valverde, and Aurélien Tchouaméni are expected to be recalled to the starting XI after being rested or rotated at the weekend.
• Mbappé has now scored 33 goals across all competitions in his first season with the club.

Real Sociedad:

• Brais Méndez is a doubt due to a foot injury, while Sheraldo Becker, Nayef Aguerd, Arsen Zakharyan, and Jon Pacheco are also in contention to miss out.
• Ander Barrenetxea is available again following suspension and is likely to return to the starting lineup.
• Captain Mikel Oyarzabal, who has netted 12 times this season, is expected to lead the line once more.

A place in the Copa del Rey final awaits the winner of this semi-final. Real Madrid are defending a narrow lead and will look to capitalise on home advantage, but Real Sociedad, with a strong cup tradition and nothing to lose, will be eager to flip the script and make a return to the final for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2020.

With the stakes sky-high and Madrid’s fixture list growing increasingly demanding, Tuesday’s match could be another thriller at the Bernabéu.