Here is how Real Madrid players reacted when they were drawn against Barcelona.
Real Madrid have been picking up results off late. The Los Blancos appointed the former Spain manager Julen Lopetegui in a controversial fashion when the World Cup was going on.
It did not pay off for Florentino Perez as the 71-year-old decided to sack the Spaniard after the 5-1 defeat to Barcelona at Nou Camp in October. There were plenty of managers linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu, but the reigning European Champions decided to hire their reserve team manager Santiago Solari.
The Argentine International had an uneasy start to his managerial reign, but his team has picked up the form lately after making some crucial decisions. The 42-year-old made some great decisions by dropping Marcelo and Isco who have not been able to find their feet lately.
In the last seven games, they have won six and lost one which came when they had a three-goal cushion in the first leg. So, there is some momentum to carry into the Semifinals of the Copa Del Rey against Barcelona.
The first leg will be played at Nou Camp on February 6th and the second leg will take place twenty days later in the capital city of Madrid. Either of these teams will take on Valencia or Real Betis at Benito Villamarin on 25 May.
According to the report from the Spanish publication AS, Real Madrid wanted Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey Semifinals. It is understood that Santiago Solari’s men are confident of overcoming Barcelona in a double leg rather than the prospect of facing the Blaugrana in the finals.
Besides, it will be an added advantage as the Los Blancos will play the second leg at their home patch. The squad is also confident of turning any scoreline in their favour as they would have the entire white army cheering for them against their arch-rivals.
With a grand total of 17 goals this season, Karim Benzema has been in red-hot form and will be looking to carry the same into the game. On the other hand, Lionel Messi has scored 29 goals this term, but he is doubtful for the first leg having suffered a minor blow against Valencia.
Even though there is an optimism about this tie at Real Madrid, they will also have a cautious measure to not get ahead of themselves. When these two teams last met, Barcelona were 5-1 winners in the La Liga.
It will be an intriguing contest as both sides will be looking to add another silverware to their rich history.
