Copa del Rey | Semi-Finals | 2nd Leg

Apr 2, 2025 at 8.30pm UK

Estadio Civitas Metropolitano

Atletico vs Barcelona

(agg: 4-4)

Match preview

Atletico's season is on the brink of collapse after their Champions League dreams and La Liga title hopes were dashed in the last month.

Diego Simeone's side began a difficult run of form with 2-1 away defeats to Real Madrid and Getafe in the Champions League and La Liga respectively.

Although they won the second leg of their European quarter-final against Los Blancos 1-0, their Champions League journey ended with a penalty shootout defeat.

They then squandered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at home to league leaders Barcelona, before returning from the international break with a 1-1 draw away to Espanyol on Saturday.

Cesar Azpilicueta's stunning first goal in La Liga was in vain as Javi Puado equalised from the penalty spot to extend Atleti's winless run to three games and leave them nine points off the pace with nine games remaining.

As a result, the Copa del Rey represents Atletico's best chance of lifting a trophy this season, with Los Colchoneros looking to win the competition for the first time since 2012-13.

Atletico's hopes are not helped by the fact that they have failed to progress from the last three Copa del Rey semi-finals, although they did manage to salvage a 4-4 draw away to Barcelona last month.

Unlike their hosts, Barcelona are still chasing three more trophies to add to the Spanish Super Cup they lifted in January.

The Blaugrana have gone on a 20-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W17, D3) since losing 2-1 at home to Atletico Madrid in December.

They are currently top of La Liga, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and one game away from their first Copa del Rey final since winning the competition in 2020-21.

Hansi Flick's side have already picked up a couple of home victories since the international break, winning their rearranged fixture against Osasuna 3-0, before a 4-1 win over Catalan rivals Girona on Sunday thanks to a Robert Lewandowski brace, a Ferran Torres goal and a Ladislav Krejci own goal.

As a result of Sunday's efforts, Barcelona became the first La Liga side to score 139 goals in 45 competitive games in a single season, giving them confidence ahead of their second trip to the Metropolitano in just over a fortnight.

The Catalan giants have won each of their last three away games against Atletico, having lost 2-0 in their last La Liga meeting in October.

They will also be buoyed by the fact that they have progressed from eight of their last nine Copa del Rey semi-finals, with their only defeat in that period coming in their last appearance in the last four in 2022-23, when they lost 5-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid.

Recent Performance

Atletico Madrid Copa del Rey form:WWWWWD

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):WLLLLD

Barcelona Copa del Rey form:WWWD

Barcelona form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Team News

Atletico captain Koke is in a race against time to prove his fitness after missing the last eight games with a muscle problem.

Defender Robin Le Normand is expected to be fit despite coming off in the first half against Espanyol with a head injury, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Striker Angel Correa is serving the third game of a five-match ban handed down for his foul language towards the referee in Atletico's 2-1 defeat at Getafe.

Jose Maria Gimenez, Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez are all in contention to start after being used as substitutes on Saturday following long journeys back from international duty in South America.

Simeone may also be tempted to start Reinildo Mandava at left-back to counter the threat of Lamine Yamal.

The visitors will be without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal and Marc Casado, while Andreas Christensen will be assessed ahead of the return leg.

Striker Dani Olmo is also on Barcelona's list of absentees after being ruled out for up to three weeks with an adductor injury sustained in Thursday's win over Osasuna.

Pau Cubarsi has not been deemed fit enough to start the last two games after picking up an injury on international duty, but there is a chance he could replace Ronald Araujo in the backline for Wednesday's game.

Frenkie de Jong could return to midfield after coming off the bench in Sunday's dominant win over Girona.

Raphinha was not risked at the weekend as he watched the 4-1 win from the bench, which should ensure he is fresh for the start at the Metropolitano.

Possible starting lineup

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Musso; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Reinildo; Simeone, Barrios, De Paul, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski