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Andres Iniesta holds aloft the Copa del Rey trophy Barcelona clinched last year
new rey-gulations

Barcelona and Real Madrid will have fewer games from 2019-20 season as Copa del Rey undergoes format change

Competition bosses declared that up to quarter-finals, ties will be one-off games — with top sides arriving at Round of 32

SPAIN'S main cup competition will undergo major format changes from the 2019-20 season.

Up until this season, and into the following term, each tie is two-legged with the big clubs joining at the Round of 32.

 Andres Iniesta holds aloft the Copa del Rey trophy Barcelona clinched last year
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Andres Iniesta holds aloft the Copa del Rey trophy Barcelona clinched last yearCredit: AFP
 The Copa del rey tournament will undergo major format changes from 2019-20
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The Copa del rey tournament will undergo major format changes from 2019-20Credit: AFP

However, competition bosses have now declared the ties up to the quarter-final stages will be settled in one-off affairs.

Spanish FA chief Javier Tebas explained: "On the one-off games front, I believe we are much closer than we thought.

"For the upcoming campaign it is impossible because the rights have already been sold — but for the '19-20 season, it is a reality."

Barcelona have been the dominant side in the competition, with victory in the past four editions, and only Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid tasting success in the past eight seasons.

 Philippe Coutinho nets a penalty against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final
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Philippe Coutinho nets a penalty against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey finalCredit: AFP
Football legends Rivaldo and Deco surprise fans during kickabout at Barcelona's training ground

Having won the competition last season, the Catalans are due to meet runners-up Sevilla in the Supercopa de Espana, but there is still a little confusion over the dates.

Sevilla will be involved in the early stages of the Europa League meaning there is little free time to fit the two-legged affair in.


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They will be hoping to give Barcelona more of a game last season's Copa del Rey final when the Catalans won 5-0.

Two years ago, the pair last met in the Supercopa de Espana, with Barca running out 5-0 winners on aggregate.

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