Real Madrid's season could be defined by next Wednesday as the team's fate in the Champions League and Copa del Rey will be decided.
The journey begins on Tuesday when Madrid plays the second leg of the Copa del Rey against hated rival Barcelona. The teams drew 1-1 in the first leg with goals from Cesc Fabregas and Raphael Varane. Since then both team shave won three, drawn one, and lost one. The game will take place at the Camp Nou and all Barcelona needs is a 0-0 draw to get through to the Copa del Rey final. Meanwhile Madrid desperately needs a 2-2 draw or a 1-0 win to move along.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be the central story, as they always are in these tilts. In four meetings between the two teams this season, Both players have accumulated four goals; both were kept scoreless in the first leg of the Copa del Rey. Both stars have tallied four times in the Copa del Rey this season.
Barcelona has not lost at home this season; the team holds record a 10 wins, 1 draw, and zero losses in Spanish league play at the Camp Nou and has only conceded 10 goals while scoring 42. The lone draw was a 2-2 tie with Madrid when Ronaldo and Messi each scored braces. On the road, Madrid has won six, drawn two, and lost five while scoring 24 and conceding 14. From this statistical standpoint it is clear that Barcelona holds the edge.
The match starts at 3 PM EST on Tuesday Feb. 26. After the Barcelona battle Madrid heads head for another Clasico on March 2 before visiting Manchester United for the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16.