Whereas Barcelona have won almost every club honour going over the last few years, claiming eight trophies since Pep Guardiola took charge, Madrid have not tasted success since winning the Primera Division and Spanish Super Cup in 2008.

It has been an even longer wait for Madrid to get their hands on the Copa del Rey as well, with their last triumph coming back in 1993.

The competition has been a source of major embarrassment for the big-spending Spanish giants in recent years, with humiliating fourth-round exits to third-tier sides Real Union and Alcorcon. But, under the guidance of Jose Mourinho this season, Madrid are back in the final for the first time since 2004.

Long-serving goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has won four league and two Champions League titles but not the cup, said: "It's a very important trophy for Real Madrid and we can't afford not to win it for 17 years. For us it's very important, vital. I've not been able to won it in the 11 years I've been here.

"In the dressing room we feel the moment has arrived to lift a lot of trophies. But we know it won't be easy (tomorrow), and that it's going to be a great match between the two best teams in Spain. Anything can happen, but we are hopeful about our chances."

The cup final is the second of four showdowns between Madrid and Barca in the space of 18 days, with the two superpowers drawing 1-1 in the league on the weekend and then meeting in the Champions League semi-finals in the coming weeks.

Saturday's draw at the Bernabeu saw Barca edge closer to the Primera Division title - they are eight points clear of second-placed Madrid with only six games remaining - but Mourinho's men may have struck a psychological blow by hitting back from a goal down and a man down to claim a point.

Barca had looked to be on their way to a record-equalling sixth successive Clasico victory after Lionel Messi put them ahead with a 52nd-minute penalty in an incident that also saw Madrid lose Raul Albiol to a red card.

However, the 10 men battled back and drew level eight minutes from time through a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty.

Casillas added on his club's website: "We reacted well when our opponents had the advantage. We fought, we ran and we sacrificed ourselves, and that is what the fans want; that Real Madrid never gives up."

Barca are looking to extend their competition-best record of Copa del Rey triumphs to 26 - which would put them three ahead of nearest challengers Athletic Bilbao and nine clear of Madrid.

Barca last won the cup in 2009 when they beat Athletic 4-1 to earn the first of an unprecedented six trophies that year.

Heading into tomorrow's match Guardiola has a doubt over the fitness of captain Carles Puyol, although the centre-back has been included in a 19-man squad for the trop to Valencia.

Guardiola, who is without Eric Abidal and Bojan Krkic, must also decide between Victor Valdes and Jose Pinto in goal. Valdes is the regular number one but Pinto has been the goalkeeper in the cup games.

Pinto told El Mundo Deportivo: "If I play in the final I'll be happy, but we need to wait until the game."

Mourinho has also named a 19-man squad, with Lassana Diarra and Fernando Gago missing through injury and Albiol suspended.