Real Madrid and Barcelona will play the Copa del Rey final at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium on April 16th, the Spanish football federation has announced.
Following a meeting between Spanish FA chiefs and representatives of both clubs, it was decided that the game will kick off at 9.30pm local time (8.30pm GMT).
The two European football giants last met in the final in 2011, on the same ground. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal on the game in extra time to hand Jose Mourinho his first trophy as Real Madrid boss.
This year’s final will be the third appearance in four year for Los Blancos, who lost on their own ground against city rivals Atletico de Madrid last season. In total, Los Blancos have won the Copa de Rey on 18 occasions, while Barcelona have won the trophy 26 times – a Spanish record.
The decision to play the final during Easter week was made with the Champions League semi-finals in mind. Playing it midweek will allow both clubs more recovery time should they make it to the latter stages of Europe’s top trophy.
Barcelona already have one foot in the quarter-finals after beating Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium this week. Real Madrid take on Bundesliga side Schalke next week.
