Real Madrid will face their intra-city rivals Atletico Madrid in a Copa del Rey quarterfinal match that will determine which team advances to the semifinals of the competition.
The Madrid derby matchups are always high-strung affairs, but the tension spiked in the lead-up with Atletico supporters once again targeting Real's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr with racist abuse, hanging an effigy of the player from a bridge near the club's training base. Both Real and Atletico issued strong statements condemning the act.
Vinicius should be extra motivated to get his first career goal against his club's rivals and help Real Madrid move closer to ending a Copa del Rey drought that has run nearly a decade since they last hoisted the trophy in April 2014. Atletico won it the season before (2013) and are on a similar dry spell with neither Madrid side even reaching the final during the span since their last triumph.
Real will be hosting this single elimination match due to the luck of the quarterfinal draw. There must be a winner on the day with extra time and penalties, if necessary, used in case of a draw after 90 minutes.
Extra time will likely be needed. These two teams have played in five winner-take-all matchups in their history, and all five have gone to extra time: Champions League (2014, 2016), UEFA Super Cup (2018), Spanish Supercopa (2020), and Copa del Rey (2013). Atletico Madrid won two of them (UEFA Super Cup and Copa del Rey).
La Liga leaders Barcelona and Osasuna are the first two 2023 Copa del Rey semifinalists after advancing on Wednesday. The remaining semifinalist will come from the Valencia vs. Athletic Club matchup also happening on Thursday. The semifinal draw takes place on Friday.Watch video