Cristiano Ronaldo is confident in his team's chances of winning its biggest game of the year.
Without any chances of winning the Champions league or Spanish league title, Real Madrid only has one chance to end 2012-13 with a feeling of success: a victory Friday in the Spanish Copa del Rey against cross town rivals Atletico Madrid.
"If we play to our potential, and stick to what we do well, I think we will win," said Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. "I am going to try to help my team-mates in the best way possible - I am going to try to score. I am sure we will be prepared for the occasion."
Ronaldo's club heads into the final as decisive favorite. The two teams have met in the finals for the Copa del Rey in 1960, 1961, 1975, and 1992. Atletico defeated Madrid in 1960, 1961, and 1992; Madrid's only victory in the final was in 1975. In 1985, the two sides contested a two-legged final of the Copa de la Liga with each club winning their home leg; Real Madrid wound up winning on aggregate.
However, a look at the two side's more recent history proves why Real Madrid is the favorite. From 2000-02 Atletico was a member of the Spanish second division. The club returned to the top division in 2002-03 and has since played 22 regular season matches against Real Madrid; they have not won a single match. In fact, they have earned draws in just five of those 22; Real has won the other 17. Real Madrid has won the last eight tilts between the two sides, including two victories in the 2012-13 season. Since 2009, Ronaldo has scored eight times in derbies.
Is Real Madrid the undisputed favorite to win the Copa Del Rey?
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