It was last night when King Felipe VI. had ended his run from one coronation in London to the next in Seville.
The Spanish monarch shook hands with football kings as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey for the 20th time – thanks to a brace from Rodrygo – but Carlo Ancelotti’s side had no time to celebrate.
Real flew straight back to the capital to recover quickly and prepare for tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final with Manchester City where they will battle for the 15th European Cup crown.
Mail Sport delivers a scouting message from a long night out in Seville…
Mail Sport headed to Seville for a scouting report on Manchester City’s next opponents
Vinicius is one of the best
Osasuna had waited 18 years for a cup final – and in the meantime almost collapsed financially – but with just two minutes on the clock they were heartbroken. Vinicius Junior stood on his marker and danced past two defenders before delivering a great assist to compatriot Rodrygo. Is there a more complete winger in world football than Vinicius?
With 22 goals and 21 assists, few have better numbers this season. Real fans even sang “Vinicius Ballon d’Or” during the celebrations at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid.
He gave Jon Moncayola a torrid evening with his blistering runs and blistering pace – his stats place the 22-year-old as the best dribbler in world football. Manchester City defenders could be having nightmares.
Vinicius Junior is among the best wingers in the world – he could injure City
The eternal midfield has plenty of backing
Luka Modric spent 82 minutes of that game on the bench until the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner replaced a tired Toni Kroos to a huge ovation.
It seems the pair, Kroos, now 33, and Modric, 37, are forever in Real’s midfield but their days are slowly being numbered.
But no need to worry for Real supporters. Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde are top-flight substitutes, with Jude Bellingham’s little affair likely to follow this summer. Uruguayan gem Valverde often occupies an extremely advanced position just behind Karim Benzema, causing problems at the back when the Frenchman falls short.
With City holding a notoriously high line, Valverde could be an eyesore.
That means if he doesn’t do the defensive dirty work, City could tear Real apart.
Tchouameni, the 23-year-old Frenchman who scored against England at the World Cup, looked a bit leggy towards the end of the final and the madridistas suggest he is yet to rediscover his best level after his good tournament in Qatar.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga testify to a succession plan at Real Madrid
immune deficiency?
It’s a delight to watch Camavinga with his balletic movements and silky passing skills in close quarters. But his talents are wasted at left back. He is connecting well with Vinicius but is looking shaky defensively and with Bernardo Silva likely to start on the right wing for City he could be targeted by Pep Guardiola.
On the other hand, however, there are no worries. Dani Carvajal put on a warlike performance as Real won their first Copa del Rey since 2014. Not many full-backs have pocketed Jack Grealish this season, but Carvajal could break that trend.
In the central areas, Erling Haaland will be licking his lips while brute defender Eder Militao is suspended. Osasuna took advantage of Antonio Rudiger when he came on as a substitute here.
The German has started five out of ten Champions League games this season but will play in Militao’s absence.
Erling Haaland will lick his licks as Eder Militao is suspended for the first leg
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