Copa del Rey | Semi-Finals | 1st Leg

Feb 25, 2025 at 8.30pm UK

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FC Barcelona vs Atletico de Madrid

Match preview

It would be fair to say that the Copa del Rey is third on Barcelona's list of priorities in the final months of the season, with the Catalan giants currently top of La Liga and in the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, this is Barcelona's competition, having won the trophy on 31 occasions, and they are looking to lift it for the first time since 2020-21, so the stakes are high for Hansi Flick's men.

The Blaugrana have beaten Barbastro, Real Betis and Valencia to reach the semi-finals, scoring 14 times in the process, and will take a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions into the clash.

Barcelona have won their last five, including a 2-0 victory over Las Palmas on Saturday, to go top of the La Liga standings, ahead of second-placed Real Madrid on points.

Flick's men will face Real Sociedad in La Liga next weekend before travelling to Portugal for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Benfica, and their performances in Europe this term have made them one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

The second leg of this semi-final will not take place until early April and with so much football to be played between now and then, both sides will be desperate for a positive result on Tuesday night.

Atletico have also enjoyed an excellent campaign, with Diego Simeone's side also progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League, where Real Madrid await.

Meanwhile, the Red and Whites are firmly in contention for the La Liga title, sitting third in the standings, just one point behind Barcelona, and they beat Valencia 3-0 in the Spanish top flight on Sunday.

Atletico are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions and have a big few weeks ahead of them, with a trip to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga next weekend before hosting Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The capital side have not won the Copa del Rey since 2013 and, like Barcelona, will see this trophy as third on their list of priorities, but it could be the most winnable competition for them in the closing stages of the season.

Atletico beat Barcelona 2-1 in La Liga earlier this season, a result that followed five successive defeats to the Catalan giants.

Tuesday's clash will be their first Copa del Rey meeting since the semi-finals of the 2016-17 competition, where Barcelona won 3-2 on aggregate, and Atletico have not beaten the Catalan side in the competition since April 2000.

Recent Performance

Barcelona Copa del Rey form:WWW

Barcelona form (all competitions):DWWWWW

Atletico Madrid Copa del Rey form:WWWWW

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):WWWDDW

Team News

Barcelona are concerned about the fitness of Lamine Yamal, who posted a picture of his injured foot after Saturday's win over Las Palmas, but the striker is expected to be fit for this fixture.

Andreas Christensen could also be in contention after recovering from his latest injury problem, but Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain unavailable.

Flick is likely to make changes to the side that started against Las Palmas, with Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, Inigo Martinez and Ronald Araujo all in contention.

Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick against Valencia in the last round of the competition and also came off the bench late on against Las Palmas, but the Spaniard may have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.

For Atletico, Juan Musso is likely to start between the sticks, having been the team's Copa del Rey goalkeeper this term.

Pablo Barrios was suspended for Atletico's La Liga clash with Valencia on Saturday, but the midfielder is available for this game and will come into the side, while Koke remains an injury doubt.

Julian Alvarez scored a brace against Valencia last time out and will continue to play in the final third, while Alexander Sorloth is likely to come off the bench again, but Javi Galan and Jose Gimenez should be recalled.

Possible starting lineup

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal; Lewandowski

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Musso; Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez