Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will host Athletic Club in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Civitas Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid might not have been at their best in the league this season but they do have a chance of making it to the final of the Copa del Rey with a win over Athletic Club. The visitors have had a decent campaign so far, and a win against the Colchoneros could make things even better for them.
Diego Simeone’s men have made it to the semi-finals by defeating Real Madrid in the Round of 16 and Sevilla in the quarter-finals. They have been unbeaten in their previous six matches in all competitions and will fancy their chances of taking a lead into the second leg.
They are heading into this fixture on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Los Blancos. Atletico Madrid were not at their best, but they did manage to come out with a point. And, will hope to put up a better performance against Athletic Club.
The visitors are fifth in La Liga, just three points behind Atletico Madrid. They have done a decent job so far this season, and things could get much better if they can get past Simeone’s men in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Athletic Club have made it to this stage by defeating Alaves in the round of 16 and smashing Barcelona 4-2 in the quarter-finals. They managed to seal an emphatic extra-time win over the Catalan giants and will look for something similar against Atletico Madrid.
They are heading into this one on the back of a 4-0 win over Mallorca. It was quite an easy day at work for the visitors, and they will hope for something similar. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this fixture and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone will be without the services of Jose Maria Gimenez, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Thomas Lemar. Apart from the trio, everyone else is available for this fixture.
The Argentine manager is expected to make a few changes to his XI just to freshen things up. They will stick to the 3-5-2 formation, and Jan Oblak will continue in goal.
Reinildo Mandava will make a return to the XI, and he will feature alongside Mario Hermoso and Axel Witsel in the heart of the defence. The trio will look for a clean sheet, and they will have the support of Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino, who will feature as the wing-backs.
The duo will look to enjoy the attack at every possible opportunity, but their priority will be to keep it tight at the back. In the centre of the park, World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul will start alongside Koke and Saul Niguez. The trio will look to dictate the pace of this game. In attack, it will be the in-form duo of Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Hermoso, Witsel, Reinildo; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Saul, Lino; Griezmann, Morata
Athletic Club
There are a few fresh injury concerns for the visitors as Nico Williams as well as Inaki Williams picked up a knock last time out. The younger brother’s participation is doubtful while the senior should be back in time for the first-leg.
The major boost for them is the return of Inigo Lekue and Alex Berenguer. The duo have returned to training and are ready to feature in Wednesday’s matchday squad. The visitors will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation and Julen Agirrezabala will take charge in goal as he has been the go-to man in the cup fixture.
Inigo Lekue and Yuri Berchiche will be the full-backs for this fixture. They will start alongside the defensive pairing of Aitor Paredes and Dani Vivian. The back four will look to keep things tight at the back away from home
Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta will feature alongside Beñat Prados Diaz in the centre of the park. They will be the double pivot in front of the backline and will look to ensure the Madrid-based club do not end up dictating the proceedings.
Inaki Williams and Malcom Adu Ares will take care of the flanks, while Oihan Sancet will feature as the attacking midfielder just in behind Gorka Guruzeta, who will be leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala; Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galaretta, Prados Diaz; Inaki Williams, Sancet, Ares; Guruzeta
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have only lost two out of their last 20 matches, they have won 14 and drawn four.
- The home team have been unbeaten in nine out of their previous ten home games.
- Athletic Club have won only five out of their last ten away games in all competitions.
- Atletico are the fourth highest-scoring team in La Liga while Atheltic Club are fifth.
- The visitors have the joint second-best defensive record in the division having conceded just 21 goals.
Player to Watch
Alvaro Morata
Morata has been on another level since the start of the 2023/24 season. The 31-year-old has been scoring goals for fun and has already helped his team win quite a few matches this term.
He has 19 goals and three assists in his 31 outings. The majority of those goal contributions have come in the league. He only has one goal in Copa del Rey and will look to add to it over the two legs of the semi-final against Athletic Club. Diego Simeone will except his star forward once again steps and get the job done for him and his team.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 3-1 Athletic Club
While both teams have been in similar form this season, Atletico Madrid might still have the edge as they are playing at home and the overall quality of their squad is better than that of the visitors.
Diego Simeone’s men will look to ensure they get the best possible result in the first leg, and they are expected to go all-out attack. The visitors will look to keep it tight at the back but they might not have enough in their tanks to do that. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.
