Eighteen years later, Real Madrid look to become champions of Copa Del Rey 2011 in the Mestalla at Barcelona's expense.
Real Madrid missed a golden opportunity to shorten the gap from Barcelona in the chase for La Liga's title. La Liga title is surely Barcelona`s now. Wednesday's Copa Del Rey Final match offers a chance of redemption for the Galactico squad and an opportunity to show what they have learnt from Clasico 2010.
Real Madrid's midfielders struggled to keep up with the collective teamwork of Pep Guardiola's Blaugranas. Barcelona dominated the game -except for the last 20 minutes, Barcelona had a 80% possession of the ball- and Real Madrid was saved only thanks to David Villa's poor form.
Jose Mourinho's Madrid Clasico scheme had relative success against La Liga leaders Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu last Saturday. Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso and Pepe kept Lio Messi and company under control, though the speed of the Argentinean and Spanish international Pedro was a constant headache for Blanco's defenders.
Perhaps los Blancos need a new approach to defeat Barcelona. Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo were forced to assist with the defense often times during the last El Clasico, isolating either Karim Benzema or Emmanuel Adebayor, who were rendered harmless close to the Blaugrana area.
Gonzalo Higuain could also make it into the Copa Del Rey 2011 Final starting eleven, if Mourinho decides to sacrifice power to boost the speed and versatility on the attack.
German international Mesut Ozil was the most unbalancing player in the second half, harmonizing Real Madrid's attack with great success. The first title of the year is at stake, who'll be lifting the Copa Del Rey 2011 on Wednesday night?
Barcelona's goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto has guarded Cule's post throughout the whole 2010-2011 Copa Del Rey competition, but this might not be the only defensive modification on Pep Guardiola's scheme.
"I'm glad I'm back on the team. The last three months have been extremely difficult for me" said Blaugrana's Carles Puyol. He missed the last 25 minutes of La Liga's last game due to a pulled muscle.
His absence would force Guardiola to improvise with Sergio Busquets as Gerard Pique's partner in the back line, and Javier Mascherano at the center of the midfield. Gabriel Milito has not convinced Barcelona's boss in the last games, while Busquests has proven its efficiency as well as Argentina's captain Mascherano.
Xavi will be once again asphyxiated by a close personal mark, though Portuguese defender Pepe might return to the back line to substitute Raul Albiol, sent off last Saturday.
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lio Messi broke their personal curses against their rival this Wednesday. Messi is the top Copa Del Rey striker with seven goals, Cristiano Ronaldo has six. This is another chapter in the history of a Herculean rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo. Who will lead its squad towards victory?
Real Madrid's midfielders struggled to keep up with the collective teamwork of Pep Guardiola's Blaugranas. Barcelona dominated the game -except for the last 20 minutes, Barcelona had a 80% possession of the ball- and Real Madrid was saved only thanks to David Villa's poor form.
Jose Mourinho's Madrid Clasico scheme had relative success against La Liga leaders Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu last Saturday. Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso and Pepe kept Lio Messi and company under control, though the speed of the Argentinean and Spanish international Pedro was a constant headache for Blanco's defenders.
Perhaps los Blancos need a new approach to defeat Barcelona. Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo were forced to assist with the defense often times during the last El Clasico, isolating either Karim Benzema or Emmanuel Adebayor, who were rendered harmless close to the Blaugrana area.
Gonzalo Higuain could also make it into the Copa Del Rey 2011 Final starting eleven, if Mourinho decides to sacrifice power to boost the speed and versatility on the attack.
German international Mesut Ozil was the most unbalancing player in the second half, harmonizing Real Madrid's attack with great success. The first title of the year is at stake, who'll be lifting the Copa Del Rey 2011 on Wednesday night?
Barcelona's goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto has guarded Cule's post throughout the whole 2010-2011 Copa Del Rey competition, but this might not be the only defensive modification on Pep Guardiola's scheme.
"I'm glad I'm back on the team. The last three months have been extremely difficult for me" said Blaugrana's Carles Puyol. He missed the last 25 minutes of La Liga's last game due to a pulled muscle.
His absence would force Guardiola to improvise with Sergio Busquets as Gerard Pique's partner in the back line, and Javier Mascherano at the center of the midfield. Gabriel Milito has not convinced Barcelona's boss in the last games, while Busquests has proven its efficiency as well as Argentina's captain Mascherano.
Xavi will be once again asphyxiated by a close personal mark, though Portuguese defender Pepe might return to the back line to substitute Raul Albiol, sent off last Saturday.
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lio Messi broke their personal curses against their rival this Wednesday. Messi is the top Copa Del Rey striker with seven goals, Cristiano Ronaldo has six. This is another chapter in the history of a Herculean rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo. Who will lead its squad towards victory?
