Atletico Madrid will play against Barcelona at home on Wednesday in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal. The first leg was a thrilling 4-4 draw, setting up a decisive match.
Both teams are highly motivated to reach the final, where they could potentially face Real Madrid. For Atletico, winning the Copa del Rey might be their best chance to secure a title this season after being eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid and trailing Barcelona by nine points in La Liga.
Barcelona is currently in a busy schedule, playing nine games in 29 days. They have won their recent matches but face a tougher challenge against Atletico. This game, along with their upcoming Champions League quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund, will be a significant test for Barcelona`s ambitions this season, especially after periods where they seemed to be playing without full intensity.
Key Details of the Match
- Teams: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona
- Competition: Copa del Rey Semifinal (Second Leg)
- Location: Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
Previous Encounter
These two teams recently played in La Liga where Barcelona won 4-2 at Atletico Madrid. Atletico initially led 2-0 with goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth, but Barcelona rallied with late goals, including two from Ferran Torres and one from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, to secure a victory.
Atletico Madrid`s Perspective
There`s a sense of urgency for Atletico to win, especially after their Champions League exit and distant position in the La Liga title race. However, manager Diego Simeone believes their season has been successful regardless of Wednesday`s result.
Simeone stated that “failure is not trying” and that he views their season as “very good” so far, citing their Champions League performance, La Liga competitiveness, and Copa del Rey semifinal appearance. He believes winning a trophy would make it an “extraordinary season.”
Simeone wants his team to play with “joy” and “hope” against Barcelona, maintaining their tactical approach but with a positive mindset.
Barcelona`s Perspective
Barcelona, under their coach, faces a major test against Atletico, especially with the possibility of winning a significant trophy in the Copa del Rey. The coach downplayed expectations, noting they haven`t achieved anything major yet besides the Spanish Supercopa.
He acknowledged that the Copa del Rey might be their “nearest title” opportunity but emphasized the difficulty of the match against Atletico. He also praised Atletico`s coach Diego Simeone and their experienced, intense, and fast-paced style of play.
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid: Juan Musso, Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, Clement Lenglet, Cesar Azpilicueta, Giuliano Simeone, Conor Gallagher, Pablo Barrios, Samuel Lino, Alexander Sorloth, Julian Alvarez
Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Eric García, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: In a potentially tight match, Lamine Yamal could be a decisive player. The 17-year-old has been impressive this season with 13 goals and 16 assists across all competitions. He has performed well in big games, scoring against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid recently. With support from players like Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, Yamal is becoming a key player for Barcelona, and this semifinal is a perfect stage to showcase his talent.
Key Storyline
Barcelona`s Trophy Pursuit: Despite initial doubts, Barcelona is now a serious contender for La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League titles. This semifinal is an important indicator of their ability to win trophies this season. While they are still favored to win La Liga and have a positive outlook in the Champions League, failing to win this semifinal could raise questions about their trophy-winning capabilities at a crucial point in the season.
Match Prediction
Expect another close game, slightly favoring Barcelona. They are predicted to have enough quality to overcome Atletico, especially with players returning to fitness. Predicted Score: Atletico Madrid 2, Barcelona 3
