Copa del Rey final preview: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

With Barcelona finally clinching La Liga title last week and Borussia Dortmund eliminating Real Madrid from the Champions League semi-final, the Meringues have the last chance of winning silverware this season in the Copa del Rey final. This will not be a walk in the park though, as Atletico Madrid are enjoying arguably their best football in recent years, with their superstar Radamel Falcao being able to seal the game on his own.

Current Real Madrid’s season has been marred by controversy both on the pitch and out of it. The dressing room atmosphere is far from being harmonious, which can be best exemplified by recent Pepe’s criticism of the way Mourinho treats club’s legend Iker Casillas. And yet somehow players manage to retain the decent level of performance in crucial matches, and certainly they will not allow themselves being complacent in the forthcoming Copa del Rey final against their bitter rivals Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid recent form:

The Meringues are on 15 unbeaten run in La Liga, only failing to win twice. It is to be stressed the large parts of Real Madrid’s wins were secured by the weakened squad, as the Champions League success was their number one priority.

Los Blancos relinquished La Liga title to Barca in their latest game, as they drew Espanyol.

Atletico Madrid recent form:

Atletico had a good chance of finishing above their cross-town rivals before losing at the Vicente Calderon 2-1 and extending their winless streak in the games with Real Madrid to 25 games. They will have to overcome the psychological hurdle to succeed at Santiago Bernabeu.
Atleti suffered a somewhat undeserved 2-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in their latest La Liga game.

Atletico Madrid team news:

With Mario Suarez returning from injury, Atleti boast a clean bill of health ahead of the final.

Real Madrid team news:

Rafael Varane will definitely miss the forthcoming Copa del Rey final after suffering an injury on the week-end. Sergio Ramos remains a major doubt due to lack of fitness, but Alvaro Arbeloa, Marcelo and Mesut Ozil have returned to full fitness.