Real Madrid Strikes First Blow Against Barcelona Ahead of Copa del Rey Final

Florentino Pérez outmaneuvers Laporta five days before the Copa del Rey final

Real Madrid has taken the first step in the Copa del Rey final battle by securing a strategic advantage over FC Barcelona. The club, led by Florentino Pérez, booked in advance the hotel where both teams typically stay in Seville, ahead of the Clásico scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 PM. This move has given Madrid an edge in the logistical preparations before the decisive match.

Barcelona has been left without its usual hotel in Seville, the NH Collection, where the Catalan team usually stays when visiting the Andalusian capital, especially for finals held at La Cartuja stadium. According to several sources, Real Madrid acted swiftly and secured the reservation, leaving Barcelona unable to stick to its traditional matchday routine.

Real Madrid Given Priority Over Barcelona

Barcelona officials claim that the NH Collection hotel applies a seniority-based booking policy, which in this case favored Real Madrid, as the club is an older and more frequent client. According to the Catalan side, this was the main reason they couldn’t book their usual accommodation for the final.

Despite the setback, Barcelona downplays the situation, saying it has been resolved without complications. They’ve booked another five-star hotel, the Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento, which even offers a logistical bonus: it’s closer to La Cartuja. Real Madrid’s hotel is 17 minutes away from the stadium, while Barcelona’s new accommodation is just 8 minutes away by car.