Familiar foes meet on Thursday, March 2, when Real Madrid welcome FC Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabeuin the first leg of the 2022-23 Copa del Rey semifinals. Needless to say, all eyes will be on this massive derby.
Carlo Ancelotti‘s men made their way to this stage of the Spanish Cup by beating Cacereño, Villarreal, and crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid. Now, it’s time to take on the lifelong rivals for a place in the grand final.
The Cules, on the other hand, reached the final four after leaving Intercity, Ceuda, and Real Sociedad on the way. Xavi Hernandez‘s side, however, head into the Clasico with some notable absences.
Why Pedri is not playing for Barcelona against Real Madrid
Pedri is missing Barcelona’s Copa del Rey clash against Real Madrid due to aright thigh injury. The Spain international has been on the sidelines since he was subbed off in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round.
Xavi will also have to overcome other casualties as neither Robert Lewandowski nor Ousmane Dembele are eligible for this game. Barca are currently atop LaLiga standings, but they come from a shock defeat to Almeria on the road— preceded by their Europa League elimination.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
