Real Madrid are playing Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey final on Saturday in an attempt to win their first major silverware of the 2024-25 season.
Real Madrid need to beat Barcelona for the first time this season to get their most realistic piece of silverware this season, with the Champions League already out of the window, and LaLiga's window closing with the gaping four-point deficit that Real Madrid trail Barcelona with.
Copa Del Rey is a one-off final that Real Madrid can actually win, and even though they have not looked convincing at all against Barcelona this season, there is always a chance.
Real Madrid have injuries of their own, with Eduardo Camavinga out for the rest of the season, similar to Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have a few absentees of their own. They are missing a total of five players, two of which are long-term as well.
Robert Lewandowski picked up an injury very recently which has ruled him out for the big Clasico final, meanwhile their left-back Alejandro Balde - one of the best in Spain - has also been ruled out with an injury he picked up in early April.
Marc Casado and Bernal are two of Barcelona's La Masia prodigies, who are out for the season. Bernal was ruled out at the start of the season, and Casado picked up a season-ending injury in March.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is a doubt for the Real Madrid test, but he is close to returning, and could play against Real Madrid, although it is very unlikely. Wojciech Szczesny is expected to keep his place between the sticks.
Barcelona are without some of their key players themselves, so Real Madrid's higher ups cannot leak reports of them losing because of injuries if they do lose to their eternal rivals.
This is not an excuse. Real Madrid's current squad is perfectly capable of beating Barcelona, it just needs some good management by the coaches and a game plan similar to Dortmund's, which could hurt Barcelona in more ways than one.