Barcelona Vs Real Madrid [3-2] Copa Del Rey Final 2024/2025: 3 Barça Keys To Victory – Tactical Analysis

Barcelona remains one of only two teams, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, that can win their domestic league, domestic cup, and the UEFA Champions League in 2024/2025.

Hansi Flick’s men successfully defeated their arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final on Saturday, with Jules Koundé securing the victory for Barça late on in the second half of extra time.

The Catalan giants have earned three wins from three games versus Los Blancos this season, having now defeated Carlo Ancelotti’s side 4-0 at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga, 5-2 in the Supercopa de España and now 3-2 in the Copa del Rey Final.

Indeed, looking at the scorelines, it would appear as though Madrid are getting closer to a positive result against their rivals, but that will be no consolation at all for a club as fixed on silverware as they are.

Earlier this year, when Barça thrashed Real Madrid away from home in the league, I wrote about their defensive tactics and the role they played in the Catalan side’s victory.

Today, it’s more about the attack, for us.

Our post-match tactical analysis will break down how Flick set his side up to exploit Real Madrids possession.

We’re specifically going to single out three key tactical principles, in particular, that proved critical to Barcelona’s cup-final win.

Copa Del Rey Lineups & Formations

To start, we’ll outline how both finalists lined up for Saturday’s El Clásico.

Beginning with the eventual winners, Flick set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 shape.

Wojciech Szczęsny started in goal behind Jules Koundé (right-back), Pau Cubarsí (right centre-back), Iñigo Martínez (left centre-back) and Gerard Martín (left-back).

Frenkie de Jong and Pedri played at the base of midfield behind Lamine Yamal (right wing), Raphinha (left wing) and Dani Olmo (attacking midfield).

Meanwhile, Ferran Torres started up front.

Flick made five substitutions before the game was over on Saturday evening.

Firstly, Fermín López replaced Olmo just after the hour mark before Ronald Araujo and Gavi came on for Martín and De Jong about 20 minutes later.

Two of Barça’s substitutions came in extra time.

Eric Garcia was introduced for Pedri in the 98th minute before Flick’s final change saw Pau Víctor take over from Torres in the 115th minute.

Their opponents, Real Madrid, also lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape.

Thibaut Courtois started between the sticks, with Lucas Vázquez (right-back), Raúl Asencio (right centre-back), Antonio Rüdiger (left centre-back) and Ferland Mendy (left-back) playing in defence.

Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni played at the base of midfield, while Rodrygo (right wing), Dani Ceballos (left wing) and Jude Bellingham (attacking midfield) occupied the three spaces behind centre-forward Vinícius Júnior.

Ancelotti made six changes to his starting XI during the Copa del Rey final.

Real were forced into their first change quite early on as Ferland Mendy picked up an injury.

The French full-back was swiftly replaced by Francisco Garcia.

Kylian Mbappé came on for Rodrygo at half-time, 10 minutes before a double substitution saw Luka Modrić and Arda Güler step in for Lucas Vázquez and Dani Ceballos.

Madrid’s fifth sub saw Brahim Díaz introduced for Vinícius Júnior just before the end of regular time.

Lastly, Endrick came on for Rüdiger in the 111th minute.

Barcelona Wing Play

Flick has done an excellent job of instilling his tactical principles at Barcelona.

One such principle that contributed to his side’s Copa del Rey victory is stretching the opposition horizontally.

Barça found it challenging to break Real Madrid down by playing through the centre of the pitch.

Ancelotti set his side up to be very horizontally compact without the ball, focusing on protecting those valuable central areas.

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