Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

Boasting a slender first-leg lead, Real Madrid return to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to get the job done in the return leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie against Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid set their sights on a rare Copa del Rey final appearance, aiming to reach the showpiece event for only the second time in 11 seasons. Holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg against Real Sociedad, Los Blancos are in a strong position. Carlo Ancelotti rotated his squad for Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Leganes, giving standout performers Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde extra rest after the international break to keep them fresh for this decisive clash. As a result, the hosts will back themselves to extend a dominant run of four straight wins against Sociedad. However, the 20-time Copa del Rey winners won’t take anything for granted, especially after needing extra time to edge past Celta Vigo 5-2 in their only home fixture in this season’s competition.

On the other hand, Real Sociedad head to the Bernabeu in high spirits after last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Valladolid, which snapped a frustrating six-game winless streak (D2, L4). Having reached the semi-finals last season, La Real are no strangers to this stage of the competition, but they face an uphill battle, needing a win to secure their first Copa del Rey final appearance since lifting the trophy in 2019/20. Manager Imanol Alugacil can draw heart from Sociedad’s formidable away record in this competition, having gone unbeaten on the road since a 2023 quarter-final loss to Barcelona (W8, D1). However, four consecutive H2H defeats hardly bode well.