Barcelona and Real Madrid are poised to secure their places in April’s Copa del Rey final this week before turning their attention to the main prize: the Uefa Champions League.
The record domestic cup winners with 26 titles, Barca are 2-0 up on Real Sociedad ahead of their semi-final second leg in San Sebastian on Wednesday.
Madrid, who have claimed the trophy 18 times and are third on the all-time list behind Athletic Bilbao with 23, have a 3-0 cushion before their trip across the capital to play holders Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
As well as exacting revenge for last season’s 2-1 defeat in the final, Real’s convincing performance in last week’s first leg at the Bernabeu was the latest evidence they are coming into form as the season is approaching a critical juncture.
Barca suffered a wobble in the Primera Liga at the start of the month, losing 3-2 at home to Valencia, but have made progress in the cup and returned to the top of the league thanks to Sunday’s 4-1 win at Sevilla.
Their four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has taken time to find his stride following a two-month injury lay-off, but his double in Seville suggested he is not far off his best.
“If anyone says anything negative about him, all they are doing is provoking him,” Barca coach Gerardo Martino said. “And if you provoke the world’s best player, his next opponent will have a problem.”
Barca have one league game, at home to Rayo Vallecano, before they play at Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League on February 18. Real play at Getafe and host Elche in the league before they visit Schalke on February 26.
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