Who will face Real Madrid next month in the Copa del Rey final? One thing is certain—we’re in for a spectacle. It will either be El Clasico or El Madrileno, a showdown between teams from the Spanish capital. Los Blancos secured their spot after a dramatic extra-time victory over Real Sociedad—4-4 after 90 minutes (with Sociedad leading 4-3 before stoppage time), and a 1-0 win in the first leg in the Basque Country. Meanwhile, the first leg between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at Montjuic was arguably the best game in Europe this season. Diego Simeone’s team took a quick 2-0 lead, but Barcelona mounted a thrilling comeback to go up 4-2, only for Atletico to equalize in stoppage time with a goal from Alexander Sørloth. All of this sets the stage for another football spectacle tonight (22:30) at the Metropolitano. But, today, ahead of this important match, the coach and the players got distracted by La Liga annoucement.In the nick of time – Barca register Olmo!The League president Javier Tebas is known for his unwillingness to back down to Real Madrid’s demands and is in a quarrel with Florentino Perez, but he is certainly not doing any favors to Barcelona, on the contrary. On January 9th this year, the Catalans managed to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, as they failed to comply with La Liga regulations, due to their financial state. However, they were granted only temporary playing registrations, so Blaugrana’s problems were not solved for good. In order to balance the books and register their two players, Barca sold the rights to operate VIP boxes at Camp Nou but La Liga is disputing that too.Osasuna is taking Barcelona’s three points because of violation!?The statement from La Liga, in short, says that the club does not currently have the right to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, considering the sale of Barcelona’s VIP boxes between December and January to be invalid. On the other side, Mundo Deportivo, who is close to Barcelona explained what happened. According to this newspapers, president Juan Laporta has used three auditors and the current one Crowe Auditores Espana, hasn’t included the corporate operation of VIP seats (which LaLiga calls VIP Boxes), valued at 100 million euros, in FC Barcelona’s accounts because the asset doesn’t yet exist, and is therefore considered intangible. It is being built at the New Spotify Camp Nou , and until it’s finished, the club believes these 100 million cannot be included. But in reality, Barca already received 58 million of the planned 100 million on January 3rd, although the total transaction would be added to the accounts. The club believes that this is just another attempt by La Liga to put pressure on Spanish Football Council, who is due to give it’s verdict soon.COPA DEL REY – SEMIFINALTuesdayReal Madrid – Sociedad 4-4 a.e.t. (3-4) /Endrick 30, Bellingham 82, Tchuameni 86, Rudiger 115 – Barrentxea 16, Alaba 72(og), Oyarzabal 80, 90+3/Real Madrid win 5-4 on aggWednesday21:30: (2.90) Atl.Madrid (3.45) Barcelona (2.40)***odds are subject to change***
