Real Madrid will play Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey Final on Wednesday night is what should be an enthralling game. Both teams have stumbled at various points this season, and in La Liga they are both playing catch up to Atletico Madrid. However, for the Copa Del Rey these two El Classico rivals will meet again in the final.
The game will kick off at 8.30 p.m. BST (3.30 p.m. ET) and can be watched online through live stream – free for ESPN subscribers – via the link provided below.
The big pre-game news is that star forward for Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo is out of the final. Real coach, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed to the media ahead of the game that Ronaldo would not be playing in the final in Valencia, as he has not sufficiently recovered from a hamstring injury.
Ancelotti said, "Cristiano is not available because we don't want to take risks and we have other very important games to come this season."
Ronaldo has been missing from the Real Madrid side for the past three games due to the same injury, and he will no doubt be sorely missed by his team mates. However, Ancelotti is adamant that his team will be able to cope and remain a big threat to their Catalan rivals. Of the 10 games Ronaldo has missed this season, Real have in fact lost only one of them.
Critics point out though that Barcelona have already defeated Real twice in the league this season, and considering Ronaldo's absence, many are now touting Barcelona as the favorites for the game.
Gareth Bale will need to step up and put on a big performance for his team if they are to counter the Barca threat.
The game can be watched online through live stream by clicking here.
