Why Barca and Madrid are not playing in the 1st round of the Copa del Rey?

The first rounds of national cups are often a chance to see the biggest surprises in our sport, with amateur or semi-amateur clubs taking on the professionals.

In Spain, the Copa del Rey kicked off on Tuesday with La Liga clubs taking part in the round of 64. However, four of them are exempt from the first two matches, and have qualified directly for the last 16 of the competition.

They are the participants in the Spanish Super Cup, scheduled for 10-14 January in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: FC Barcelona (Spanish champions), Real Madrid (defending champions and 2nd in La Liga), Osasuna (outgoing finalists) and Atletico Madrid (3rd in La Liga).

The advantage of playing this competition and two extra games in the calendar exempts them from the first two rounds of the Copa del Rey, which this week sees the 16 other La Liga teams take on lower-level clubs.

The majority of the first matches take place on Wednesday, with Sevilla travelling to Quintanar de la Orden (6th tier), Real Sociedad to Bunol (6th tier) and Betis to Hernan Cortes (6th tier).

In addition, the modest Basque team Amorebieta will enter the competition in the round of 32 (second round) after winning the Copa Federacion last season, a competition for teams in the 3rd, 4th and 5th divisions who have not qualified for the Copa del Rey.

 

November 1, 2023