Bayern Munich kembali mendapat pukulan telak akibat cedera setelah kabar bahwa Alphonso Davies harus absen lagi. Pelatih kepala Vincent Kompany mengonfirmasi kabar tersebut dalam konferensi pers prapertandingan menjelang laga tandang Bundesliga melawan Wolfsburg.
Impian Bayern Munich di kancah Eropa berakhir dengan kekecewaan setelah mereka dikalahkan telak oleh Paris Saint-Germain dalam dua leg semifinal Liga Champions. Meskipun tim asal Bavaria ini mendominasi kompetisi domestik, kekalahan tersebut memicu kritik tajam terhadap pendekatan taktis dan pemilihan pemain yang dilakukan Vincent Kompany di panggung tertinggi.
Legenda Liga Premier Nicky Butt telah memperingatkan Arsenal bahwa Paris Saint-Germain akan hampir mustahil dikalahkan saat kedua tim bertemu di final Liga Champions akhir bulan ini. Butt berpendapat bahwa Mikel Arteta harus mempertimbangkan untuk mencoret striker Viktor Gyokeres dan menggantinya dengan pemain yang lebih cepat guna memanfaatkan kelemahan pertahanan juara Prancis tersebut melalui serangan balik.
Lothar Matthäus mendesak Vincent Kompany untuk tetap berpegang pada filosofi permainannya yang menyerang, meskipun Bayern Munich tersingkir dari Liga Champions oleh Paris Saint-Germain. Legenda sepak bola Jerman itu meyakini bahwa gaya permainan Bayern yang menghibur tidak boleh diubah, meskipun kelemahan pertahanan mereka terungkap akibat kekalahan agregat 6-5 di babak semifinal.
Pelatih kepala Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique, secara mengejutkan tidak hadir dalam perayaan ulang tahunnya yang ke-56, meskipun ia sendiri yang menyelenggarakan jamuan makan malam mewah untuk para pemainnya di sebuah restoran mewah di Paris. Pelatih asal Spanyol itu memilih untuk menghilang tanpa kabar dari para pemainnya hanya 24 jam setelah membawa raksasa Ligue 1 itu ke final Liga Champions untuk kedua kalinya secara berturut-turut.
Barcelona are the most successful Copa del Rey side in history, winning the cup 31 times, seven more than Athletic Bilbao and 11 more than bitter rivals Real Madrid. Their first-ever Copa del Rey win came in the 1909-10 season. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Catalans have lifted this trophy six times.
How many teams are in the Copa del Rey?
Currently, as many as 126 teams participate in the Copa del Rey, starting at the top from La Liga and going all the way down to the Tercera Federacion, the fifth tier in Spanish football league system. In its inaugural edition in 1903, just three teams (Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, and Madrid FC) took part.
Who has made the most Copa del Rey appearances ever?
Former Athletic Bilbao and Spain forward Piru Gainza is Copa del Rey's record-appearance maker ever, featuring in 99 games in the cup competition.
Who is the all-time top scorer of the Copa del Rey?
Iconic Spanish forward Telmo Zarra is Copa del Rey's all-time top scorer, finding the back of the net on 81 occasions between 1939 and 1957. All those goals came in an Athletic Bilbao shirt.
Who is the oldest player ever in the Copa del Rey and how old was he?
CD Bunol goalkeeper Paco is the oldest player to ever feature in a Copa del Rey game, achieving the feat against Real Sociedad in 2023 at the age of 44 years and 231 days.
Who is the youngest player ever in the Copa del Rey and how old was he?
Armando Sagi is the youngest player to ever feature in a Copa del Rey game. Playing for Barcelona, Sagi was just 15 years and 339 days old when he made his debut in the competition on April 2, 1922.
Which famous players have played in the Copa del Rey?
Antoine Griezmann, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, Neymar, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Telmo Zarra, Sergio Busquets, Roberto Carlos, Luis Suarez, and Xavi are some of the most famous players to have played in the Copa del Rey.
Which famous managers have managed in the Copa del Rey?
Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique, Juande Ramos, Claudio Ranieri, Louis van Gaal, Sir Bobby Robson, Cesar Menotti, Miguel Munoz, and Ferdinand Daucik are some of Copa del Rey's most famous mangers.