Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal at the Reale Arena on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. This highly anticipated match will be crucial for both teams as they aim to secure an advantage before the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu in early April.
Match Details
The match is scheduled to kick off at 10:30 PM Egypt time, 11:30 PM Saudi Arabia time, and 12:30 AM UAE time. Fans can watch the game live on SSC Sport with commentary from Faris Awwad and Khaled Al Mudayfer.
Expected Lineups
Real Sociedad Expected Lineup
Goalkeeper: Alex Remiro
Defense: Jon Aramburu, Aritz Elustondo, Igor Zubeldia, Aihen Munoz
Midfield: Martin Zubimendi, Beñat Turrientes, Brais Mendez, Takefusa Kubo
Attack: Ander Barrenetxea, Mikel Oyarzabal
Real Madrid Expected Lineup
Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin
Defense: Federico Valverde, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger
Midfield: Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes
Attack: Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Bellingham Returns for Real Madrid
One of the biggest highlights of the match is the return of Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder was suspended for two La Liga games after receiving a red card against Osasuna, but he is eligible to play in the Copa del Rey.
According to AS, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has been cautious with player rotations, with key stars like Federico Valverde given additional rest due to a heavy match schedule. Bellingham trained with the team and is expected to start alongside Rudiger and Ceballos.
Head to Head Record
Real Madrid and Real Sociedad have faced each other 180 times in competitive fixtures. Real Madrid has won 100 matches, Real Sociedad has claimed 38 victories, while 42 matches ended in a draw.
Tactical Analysis
Real Madrid enters this game with a high-powered attack led by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. Their speed and skill in counterattacks will be a major threat to Real Sociedad’s defensive line. Carlo Ancelotti will rely on the creativity of Bellingham and Rodrygo to break down the compact defensive setup of Real Sociedad.
On the other hand, Real Sociedad will look to exploit Real Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities with their technical midfielders like Take Kubo and Brais Mendez. Mikel Oyarzabal remains a key figure in their attack with his ability to find space and create scoring opportunities.
Where to Watch
The match will be broadcast on SSC Sport and available for streaming on various online platforms.
For full match coverage, visit Al Khaleej.
Prediction
Real Madrid has the upper hand in terms of squad quality and recent form, but playing away at Reale Arena will be a challenge. Real Sociedad has proven to be a tough opponent at home, but the return of Bellingham, combined with the attacking prowess of Mbappe and Vinicius, could tilt the match in favor of Los Blancos.
This match promises to be an intense battle as both teams aim for a place in the Copa del Rey final.
For more updates on Real Madrid’s latest news and fixtures, visit AS and Newsfre.