Real Madrid Prepares for Crucial Copa del Reina Match Against Barcelona

MADRID, Spain — The Real Madrid women’s football team, led by coach Alberto Toril, is gearing up for a pivotal Copa de la Reina semifinal match against Barcelona on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Estadio Di Stéfano.

In a press conference, Toril reflected on the challenge ahead, noting this matchup marks their third encounter this season. “We are arriving in good form. The match will be tough; we know the challenge we face against a very strong opponent, but we intend to continue doing what we do best and focus on ourselves,” he explained.

Currently sitting second in Liga F, five points behind Barcelona, Real Madrid is also poised to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals against Arsenal later this month. Toril emphasized that their season has been impressive, saying, “I think this is the best season for us; we have very talented players.”

Regarding their strategy, Toril outlined a plan that focuses on leveraging their strengths. “We need to think about our game, manage the ball effectively, and utilize our talent and speed to create scoring opportunities,” he said, alluding to their need to capitalize on spaces left by the opposition.

In the historical context of this rivalry, Barcelona holds a perfect record against Madrid in previous women’s Clásicos, with 16 wins out of 16 meetings, scoring 58 goals while conceding only six. Despite this, Toril remains hopeful, stating, “We have the resources to pull off a surprise.”