The Copa del Rey 2024-25 semi-final second leg between Spanish giants Real Madrid and the always competitive Real Sociedad delivered a spectacle for football fans worldwide. Played at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu on April 1st, 2025, the match concluded in a dramatic 4-4 draw after extra time, securing Real Madrid’s place in the final with a 5-4 aggregate victory. This thrilling encounter was not only a testament to the attacking prowess of both teams but also a fascinating tactical battle, heavily influenced by the starting lineups and the strategic decisions made by their respective managers, Carlo Ancelotti and Imanol Alguacil.
This article will delve into the predicted and actual lineups for this captivating Copa del Rey clash, analyze the key players and tactical approaches, and address the questions that fans were asking online leading up to and after this memorable match.
The Road to the Semi-Finals: Context and Expectations
Real Madrid, a club synonymous with European and domestic success, entered the Copa del Rey with the ambition of adding another trophy to their illustrious cabinet. Their journey to the semi-finals showcased their depth and ability to navigate challenging ties.
Real Sociedad, known for their organized defense and creative midfield, had also impressed in the Copa del Rey, demonstrating their capability to compete with the top teams in Spain. Reaching the semi-finals was a significant achievement for La Real, and they were determined to overcome the deficit from the first leg (a 1-0 Real Madrid victory courtesy of a goal from young Brazilian talent Endrick).
The anticipation surrounding the second leg was palpable. Would Real Madrid’s experience and firepower prevail, or could Real Sociedad produce an upset at the Bernabéu? The predicted lineups became a significant point of discussion among fans and analysts alike.
Predicted Lineups: Tactical Intentions and Injury Concerns
Leading up to the match, various sources provided their 예상 starting XIs for both teams, taking into account recent form, injury reports, and tactical preferences of the managers.
Real Madrid’s Predicted Lineup:
Carlo Ancelotti was expected to field a strong lineup, balancing experience with the emerging talents in his squad. The predicted lineup often looked something like this:
Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin (Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao were long-term injury absentees).
Defense: Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, Fran García (Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy were expected to return soon but were likely not risked from the start).
Midfield: Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham.
Attack: Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior (Dani Ceballos was also nearing a return).
This predicted lineup suggested Ancelotti’s intent to utilize the pace and dynamism of Vinícius and Rodrygo on the wings, with the potential for Mbappé’s clinical finishing. Bellingham’s box-to-box presence and the midfield solidity of Tchouaméni and Valverde were also anticipated to be crucial. The inclusion of youngsters like Asencio in defense highlighted the injury issues the team was facing.
Real Sociedad’s Predicted Lineup:
Imanol Alguacil was expected to stick to his preferred tactical setup, focusing on a compact midfield and quick transitions. The predicted Real Sociedad lineup often looked like this:
Goalkeeper: Álex Remiro.
Defense: Hamari Traoré, Igor Zubeldia, Aritz Elustondo, Aihen Muñoz (or Javi López).
Midfield: Martín Zubimendi, Beñat Turrientes (or Jon Ander Olasagasti), Pablo Marín (or Mikel Merino, if fit).
Attack: Takefusa Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ander Barrenetxea (or Arsen Zakharyan).
This predicted lineup emphasized Real Sociedad’s desire to control the midfield battle through Zubimendi and the creativity of players like Kubo and Oyarzabal in the attacking third. The full-backs were expected to provide width and support in both defense and attack.
The Actual Lineups: Surprises and Tactical Tweaks
The official lineups revealed some interesting choices and confirmed some of the predictions.
Real Madrid’s Actual Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin.
Defense: Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga.
Midfield: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham.
Attack: Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Rodrygo.
Substitutes: Arda Güler, Luka Modric, Antonio Rüdiger, Fran García, Brahim Díaz, Fran González, Sergio Mestre, Jesús Vallejo, Kylian Mbappé.
The inclusion of David Alaba in central defense was a notable point, especially considering earlier reports. Camavinga playing at left-back was a tactical adjustment often used by Ancelotti to provide defensive solidity and ball-carrying ability from deep. The selection of Endrick in the attack, after his decisive first-leg goal, showed Ancelotti’s faith in the young Brazilian.
Real Sociedad’s Actual Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Álex Remiro.
Defense: Aihen Muñoz, Nayef Aguerd, Igor Zubeldia, Jon Aramburu.
Midfield: Martín Zubimendi, Ander Barrenetxea, Pablo Marín, Luka Sucic.
Attack: Takefusa Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal.
Substitutes: Arkaitz Mariezkurrena, Jon Ander Olasagasti, Sergio Gómez, Daniel Díaz, Hamari Traoré, Aritz Elustondo, Jon Martín, Beñat Turrientes, Orri Óskarsson, Unai Marrero, Javi López.
Alguacil opted for a slightly different defensive setup with Aguerd partnering Zubeldia in central defense. The midfield featured a blend of youth and experience, with Sucic getting a start. The attacking duo of Kubo and Oyarzabal were crucial for Real Sociedad’s hopes of overturning the deficit.
Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Shaped the Game
The lineups set the stage for a fascinating tactical battle. Real Madrid, with their dynamic wingers and Bellingham’s intelligent runs from midfield, aimed to attack with pace and precision. The inclusion of Alaba provided experience in defense, while Camavinga’s versatility at left-back offered both defensive cover and attacking impetus.
Real Sociedad, on the other hand, looked to control the midfield through Zubimendi and utilize the quick transitions and creativity of Kubo and Oyarzabal. Their defensive structure aimed to frustrate Real Madrid’s attackers and capitalize on any counter-attacking opportunities.
The game itself was a rollercoaster. Real Madrid took the lead through Endrick, showcasing his finishing prowess. However, Real Sociedad responded with goals from Barrenetxea, an own goal from Alaba, and a penalty from Oyarzabal, putting them in a commanding position. Real Madrid fought back with goals from Bellingham and Tchouaméni, forcing extra time. A late header from Rüdiger eventually sealed Real Madrid’s passage to the final.
The tactical substitutions made throughout the game by both managers were also crucial. Ancelotti brought on the experience of Modric and the attacking threat of Mbappé, while Alguacil looked to inject fresh legs and maintain defensive stability.
FAQs
What were the confirmed starting lineups for the most recent Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad match?
In their latest encounter, Real Madrid fielded a strong XI:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy
Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Luka Modrić, Arda Güler
Forwards: Brahim Díaz, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
Real Sociedad’s lineup included:
Goalkeeper: Álex Remiro
Defenders: Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Nayef Aguerd, Javi López
Midfielders: Takefusa Kubo, Martin Zubimendi, Luka Sučić, Sergio Gómez
Forwards: Sheraldo Becker, Umar Sadiq
This match concluded with a 2-0 victory for Real Madrid, with goals from Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé.
Why was Rodrygo benched in the last match?
Rodrygo was rested due to minor discomfort following his international duty with Brazil. Manager Carlo Ancelotti opted for caution, allowing Brahim Díaz and Arda Güler to start in his place.
Were there any surprises in Real Madrid’s lineup?
Yes, the inclusion of Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz in the starting XI was unexpected. Additionally, the decision to rest Rodrygo and start Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé together was notable.
Who were the standout players in the match?
Jude Bellingham delivered a stellar performance, contributing significantly to Real Madrid’s midfield dominance. Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé also made significant impacts, each scoring a goal.
What formation did Real Madrid use?
Real Madrid employed a 4-3-3 formation:
Defense: Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Mendy
Midfield: Valverde, Modrić, Güler
Attack: Brahim Díaz, Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
This setup provided a balanced approach, allowing for both defensive solidity and attacking fluidity.
What formation did Real Sociedad use?
Real Sociedad lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Defense: Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, López
Midfield: Zubimendi, Sučić; Kubo, Gómez, Becker
Attack: Sadiq
This formation aimed to provide defensive coverage while enabling quick transitions in attack.
Were there any notable injuries or absences?
Real Madrid were without Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni due to injuries. For Real Sociedad, Mikel Oyarzabal was sidelined with a knee issue, and Hamari Traoré was out with an ACL injury.
How did the substitutions impact the game?
Real Madrid’s substitutions, including the introduction of Rodrygo and Endrick, added fresh energy to the attack. Endrick’s presence was particularly impactful, as he had previously scored in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Sociedad.
To conclude
The recent clash between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad showcased the depth and tactical flexibility of both squads. Real Madrid’s strategic lineup choices, including the integration of young talents like Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz, alongside seasoned players such as Modrić and Mbappé, underline their adaptability and strength in depth.
Real Sociedad, despite facing injury challenges, demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline. Their ability to field a competitive lineup and maintain structure against a formidable opponent speaks to the quality and depth within their squad.
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