Fenomeno

High drama requires an equally grand theater, and the Mestalla on a night of Copa del Rey tension provided nothing less. On April 16, 2014, against the backdrop of a fiery, expectant Valencia atmosphere, Real Madrid and Barcelona crossed swords with the season’s first major silverware suspended in the balance. For Carlo Ancelotti’s side, the final was a high-stakes test of momentum.  The Los Blancos arrived having narrowly survived a tumultuous Champions League quarter-final comeback against Borussia Dortmund to set up a semi-final clash with Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich, while remaining firmly in the hunt for La Liga behind leaders Atlético Madrid. Barcelona, by contrast, entered the night in the shadows of the crisis. Having just been eliminated from Europe by Atlético and stumbling in the league title race, Gerardo "Tata" Martino’s side faced the stark reality of a trophyless campaign. Yet, history hung heavy over both managers. Just weeks prior, Barcelona had humbled Mad...