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.
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.
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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.