Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will host Atletico Madrid at their temporary home Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will have to take down La Liga leaders Barcelona if they want to book a place in the final of the Copa del Rey. Both teams have been in fine form this season, and it promises to be a mouth-watering clash.
The Catalan giants are top of La Liga and have been a dominant force in all competitions. While the Blaugrana did have a dip in form towards the end of 2024, Hansi Flick’s team are back at their best.
Barcelona smashed Valencia 5-0 in the quarter-finals, and they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over UD Las Palmas. The Blaugrana have been in on a run of late, and they will certainly be confident of their chances.
The visitors are third in the league, but they are only a point behind the league leaders. While they have been a touch inconsistent, Simeone’s men have done most things right this season.
They won 5-0 against Getafe in the quarters and are now heading into this fixture on the back of a 3-0 win over Valencia. Atletico will be quite optimistic about their chances having defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the league back in December. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Lamine Yamal’s fitness is a concern heading into this fixture as he posted a photo of wounded socks on his socials, although he is still expected to be back in time to start here. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal remain on the sidelines, while Andreas Christensen is back in the squad.
Hansi Flick will shuffle the pack, and there could be quite a few changes to the XI that started in their last outing. He will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny should continue in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs, while Ronald Araujo will partner with Inigo Martinez at the heart of the defence.
Frenkie de Jong and Pedri should form the double pivot in midfield. The duo will try and control the tempo of the game and ensure they dominate the ball against Diego Simeone’s men.
Dani Olmo should take up the number ten role for this one, while Raphinha and Yamal should continue on the flanks. Robert Lewandowski lead the line for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Inigo Martinez, Balde; de Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal; Lewandowski
Atletico Madrid
Pablo Barrios is back after missing their last outing because of suspension. Meanwhile, Koke’s availability for the first leg is a major doubt.
Diego Simeone will also be making a few changes to the XI that started in their last outing. The most prominent change will be in goal as Juan Musso will take charge in between the sticks for this cup fixture between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
The away side will stick to the 4-4-2 formation, where Nahuel Molina and Javi Galan will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Jose Gimenez should partner with Robin Le Normand.
Giuliano Simeone and Samuel Lino will feature out wide on the flanks in midfield, while Rodrigo De Paul will start alongside Pablo Barrios in a more central role. In attack, in-form Julian Alvarez should partner Antoine Griezmann.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Musso; Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez
Key Stats
- Barcelona hold the record for the most Copa del Rey titles having won the competition 31 times.
- Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have won the competition on 10 occasions.
- Diego Simeone’s team suffered a 2-1 defeat in the league back in December. It was their fifth straight loss against the Catalan giants.
- This will be the first Copa del Rey meeting between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid since the 2016/17 season where the Blaugran won 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
- Atletico Madrid outfit have not defeated Barcelona in the Copa del Rey since 2000.
Player to Watch
Julian Alvarez
Alvarez did have a slow start to life at Atletico Madrid, but he has eventually picked up pace. The Argentine World Cup winner has established himself as the most important player in Diego Simeone’s setup, and he will be key for them in this semi-final clash against the Catalan giants. Having contributed towards 23 goals, he will be eager to add to his tally.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Both teams are in form, and there is not much to separate them. They have been playing some quality football, and it will certainly be a hard-fought contest. While Barcelona will dominate the ball, Atletico Madrid will have their chances and they can surely make the most out of it. However, both teams might have to settle for a draw here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 stalemate between the Spanish giants.
