Osasuna are a Spanish team deprived of major trophies. The team has never won La Liga and it has reached just one Copa del Rey final previously, losing to Real Betis in 2005.
Now, nearly 20 years after last reaching the Copa del Rey final, Osasuna will play for Spain’s domestic cup trophy against Real Madrid. Los Blancos are massive favourites going into the final on Saturday.
💭 ¡Grandes recuerdos de las finales de #CopaDelRey! 💭 pic.twitter.com/GeyEnAj4Ji— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 5, 2023
💭 ¡Grandes recuerdos de las finales de #CopaDelRey! 💭 pic.twitter.com/GeyEnAj4Ji
Although the La Liga title is out of reach for Madrid, the team will play in the Champions League semifinals against Manchester City next week. Could Madrid overlook Osasuna, allowing the Pamplona club to win the trophy?
It is a classic David versus Goliath match-up in the Copa del Rey final. Madrid are unbeaten in 18 straight matches against Osasuna in all competitions.
The teams played twice this season in La Liga, with Real Madrid picking up a 1-1 home draw and a 2-0 away win versus Los Rojillo.
Real Madrid are not in great form ahead of the final. Indeed, the team lost three of its last six La Liga matches. A recent 2-0 loss to Real Sociedad sent Madrid into third place, as Atletico leapfrogged them.
Since returning to La Liga in 2019, Osasuna have been a steady team in the division. They are not spectacular by any means. However, Osasuna finished midtable in each of the last three campaigns and will do it once more this season.
Osasuna have one of the weakest attacks in La Liga. They scored just 29 goals in 33 matches. The figure is the third-fewest in the league. Madrid, on the other hand, scored the most (69) in 33 matches.
With the La Liga title out of reach, Madrid have focused on the Copa del Rey and Champions League. Los Blancos can still pull off a rare double, as the Copa del Rey isn’t often a competition they win.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team has a clean bill of health, which doesn’t bode well for Osasuna. Striker Karim Benzema has 28 goals in all competitions this season. Vinicius Jr is quietly having a brilliant campaign, with 19 goals and 18 assists in all competitions.
Vinicius Jr has contributed 37 goals for Real Madrid in all matches, more than any other player. Osasuna will have difficulty stopping both Madrid stars.
Osasuna defenders Nacho Vidal and David Garcia are doubts due to physical discomfort. Midfielder Darko Brasanac is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Los Rojillos should be up for the final, but it won’t take long for Madrid to take control of the match. Real Madrid are unbeaten in 18 straight matches in all competitions against Osasuna.
Real Madrid should win 4-1 in the Copa del Rey final to lift their 20th Copa del Rey.