If Real Madrid are to capture their 19th Copa del Rey title, they'll have to do it without the services of one Cristiano Ronaldo. The reigning FIFA Ballon d'Or winner was forced to miss the club's last two matches after developing knee and thigh muscle problems in his left leg. Now, against Barcelona—Madrid's most hated rival—he'll be forced to miss a third.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti, however, remains unphased and is adamant that a confident bunch will take the pitch Wednesday night (h/t to Marca). "Cristiano will always be missed when he's not there," Ancelotti said. "But the players aren't going around saying 'Oh Lord, what are we going to do without him?' They are confident and have proven they can win without him," he added.
"It's also a fantastic opportunity for them to take center stage in a final."
With CR7 no longer available to torment Barcelona's center-backs, the opportunity for Gareth Bale to earn his keep is now. The $132 million man has been in spectacular form since joining Los Merengues in the summer transfer window, contributing 14 goals and 12 assists in 25 appearances.
Those numbers, however, don't tell the whole story.
In five appearances against Spain's other dominant powers, Atlètico Madrid and Barcelona, Bale's productiviy wasn't worthy of that of a Galàctico, let alone a $132 million price tag. The Welshman has zero goals and just one assist in those five contests. Even worse, he only registered one shot on goal in Madrid's last meeting with the Catalan giants.
Unsurprisingly, Madrid fell 4-3 on the night.
With pedestrian performances weighing on his shoulders, Wednesday's Copa del Rey final can eviscerate the narrative surrounding his lackluster contributions in the big moment.
As pointed out by his manager, it's his opportunity to take center stage in a final, but will it be enough for Real Madrid to lift the Copa del Rey? Tell us @SportsWN
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