Albacete Triumphs Over Madrid, Prepares to Face Barcelona in Copa
Albacete Balompié made history on January 14 by defeating Real Madrid for the first time in 14 attempts. This victory propelled them into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, where they are set to face FC Barcelona at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.
Upcoming Clash Against Barcelona
The match against Barcelona is scheduled for 21:00 and will be broadcast on La1. Jefté Betancor, the forward who scored the last-minute goal that ousted Madrid, expressed excitement about the upcoming challenge. “We will give everything to advance, even though it is a very tough opponent,” he stated, reflecting the team’s determination.
Recent Performance and Momentum
Albacete, managed by Alberto González, is currently ranked twelfth in the Segunda División. Since their monumental win against Real Madrid, they have maintained an unbeaten streak. Their recent matches include:
- A narrow victory over Cádiz
- A win against Valladolid
- A solid 2-0 victory against Zaragoza
Notably, Albacete kept a clean sheet in all three matches, showcasing a strong defensive performance.
Expectations and Community Spirit
González emphasized the team’s focus on achieving something remarkable: “We are not just here to fulfill our obligations. Our goal is to transcend expectations.” With a sold-out crowd anticipated, tickets for the match were released on January 26 at prices ranging from 20 to 45 euros for subscribers and between 120 and 280 euros for the general public.
Albacete is preparing for a lively match day, which is considered a significant event for the local community. “This is their party, and we must enjoy it together,” González added.
Financial Impact
Reaching the quarter-finals has had substantial economic benefits for Albacete. The victory over Real Madrid generated approximately 1.5 million euros in ticket sales alone. This figure does not include additional revenue from merchandise sales and indirect income from local businesses.
With a budget set at 12 million euros for the 2025-2026 campaign, this financial boost is critical for the club.
Historical Context
This matchup with Barcelona marks the first encounter between the two teams in 21 years. Albacete’s only victory against Barcelona came in 1995 at the Camp Nou, out of 15 total meetings. The significance of this game could be historical, as no Segunda División team has defeated both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the same Copa.
González is optimistic: “We must believe that we can achieve something great,” he remarked, rallying the team and fans ahead of this highly anticipated match. While acknowledging Barcelona’s superiority, the hope of victory remains strong, especially after their surprising triumph over Madrid.
