Barcelona and Real Madrid both drew away in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals next month. The Catalans face relegation battlers Valencia, while their Clasico rivals make the short journey across the Spanish capital to Leganés.
Both Spanish giants scored five goals in their round of 16 victories, but also enjoyed and experienced completely different performances. While Barcelona convincingly beat Real Betis 5-1, Madrid were forced into extra time by Celta Vigo and needed a late brace from Endrick to secure an eventual 5-2 win.
Atlético Madrid overtook Elche and met city rivals Getafe in the quarter-finals.
Real Sociedad will face Osasuna in the last 16. La Real’s feared Basque rivals Athletic Club are the defending Copa del Rey champions but were knocked out of the competition last week by none other than Osasuna.
The Spanish association must not lose any time when planning the Copa del Rey. The quarter-finals are scheduled to take place in the first week of February, with duels spread over 4, 5 and 6.
These games take place just a week after the final round of league phase games in the new Champions League format.
Barcelona are all but guaranteed a place in the competition’s round of 16, while Atletico have a good chance of reaching the knockout rounds. In comparison, Real Madrid still have a lot of work to do to ensure they are still represented in Europe’s premier club competition by the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.