Endrick Embarrasses Barcelona's Forward: The Match at La Cartuja, Key

One of the key names for Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey is undoubtedly Endrick. The '16' verdeamarelo arrived in the summer of 2024 and has sparked several debates throughout this season due to the lack of playing time he is experiencing in his first campaign. Despite everything, the striker from Taguatinga is fully focused on taking advantage of every opportunity Carlo Ancelotti gives him, regardless of the competition.

The Reggiolo coach, however, has deemed that the best ground for Endrick is the Copa del Rey. Besides his limited appearances in LaLiga and the Champions League, where he has rarely started, the 'K.O. tournament' is the ideal competition for the Brazilian striker to adapt quickly. His goal-scoring figures only increase the debate about his limited participation this season.

In just 552 minutes this season, Endrick has scored seven goals: one in LaLiga, one in the Champions League, and five in the Copa del Rey. That means the '16' merengue offers one of the best ratios in all of European soccer, averaging a goal every 80 minutes played in a Real Madrid jersey. His goals in the Copa, where he has proven to be more than reliable, make him one of the main 'highlighted' players of the La Cartuja final: in 351 minutes, he scored five goals.

Not only because he has made a difference both in the round of 16 and in the semifinals. But also because he could become the top scorer of this edition with a remarkably low number of minutes played. With those five goals, Endrick ties with Ferran Torres as the top scorer of the competition organized by RFEF.

Revealing Data

Despite the fact that Ferran Torres has played 251 minutes in the Copa del Rey, the position occupied by the '7' blaugrana in Hansi Flick's scheme is quite different. Because the Valencia winger has accumulated more than 1,000 minutes in the 24/25 season, while the '16' blanco has barely 562 under his belt since last August. Thus, one of the players with the least impact at Real Madrid ties in goals with a regular substitute for Hansi Flick.

The comparison with Robert Lewandowski is even more striking. The Polish '9', an undisputed starter for the German coach, has barely scored three goals in this Copa campaign. The La Cartuja final is his opportunity to regain lost ground and aspire to the double top scorer title this season, as long as fellow Madridist Kylian Mbappé allows it in LaLiga.

Endrick's records, both within and outside these comparisons, reopen the debate about his current and future role in the squad. So far, Carlo Ancelotti has 'reserved' him for the Copa del Rey, but many are calling for an immediate change in those plans for the upcoming seasons... given his unwavering attitude and effectiveness in front of the opposing goal regardless of how many minutes he has at his disposal.

Endrick's first season as a Real Madrid player is leaving a good impression thanks to his journey through the Copa del Rey. The Brazilian forward has been decisive, in Carlo Ancelotti's words, and possesses great effectiveness that has led the white club to the La Cartuja final. There, he will have the opportunity to add more goals as long as the Reggiolo coach continues to trust his well-proven performances during the current soccer season.