Copa del Rey: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona semifinals – start, lineup, news

Atletico Madrid hosted Barcelona in the second leg of their match semi-finals after an exciting 4-4 draw on February 25.

WHO: Atletico Madrid and Barcelona
What: Spanish Cup semifinals – second round
Where: Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid, Spain
when: Wednesday, 9:30 PM local time (19:30 GMT)

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In their exciting eight-point game in the opening game of the Cup semi-finals for more than a month, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will play in the second Cup final against Real Madrid.

Here’s what to know before a key return trip between two star-studded Spanish teams:

What happened to the first game on both sides on February 25?

Barcelona and Madrid both drove eight points from two goals in a crazy eight-pointer. Copa del Rey’s first round in the semifinals In the company Estadi Olimpic Lluis in Catalonia, Spain (Spain Olympic Stadium).

In the first six minutes, the Athletics led 2-0 before hitting four unresolved goals in the final 10 minutes and even returned to the game with goals, including a 4-4 equalization from substitute Alexander Sorloth, entering a stop time of three minutes.

Alexander Sorloth Operation. — Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth

Possible lineup and team news: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid:

Head coach Simeone will return Argentina star forward Julian Alvarez to the starting XI. Alvarez, who scored five goals, is the leading scorer for Copa Del Rey this season.

Top-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak will make way for Juan Musso’s deputy.

Atletico Madrid may start:musso; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Azpilicueta; Simeone, from Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez.

Julian Alvarez reacted. — Atletico Madrid and Argentina striker Julian Alvarez will once again count on the second leg against Barcelona on April 2 (file: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona:

Head coach Hansi Flick will not have major midfielder Dani Olmo, who is expected to be eliminated until late April.

Flick has confirmed that both Raphinha and Pau Cubarsi are ready to return to Barcelona’s starting lineup. Raphinha may start from the left wing, while Cubarsi will occupy one of the attractions of the centre-back.

Barcelona may start XI: szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; de jong, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Head-to-head record: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona (last five games)

Atletico Madrid: 1 win
Barcelona: 3 wins
draw: 1
Last meeting: Atletico Madrid 2-4 Barcelona (March 16, 2025) – Laliga

The coach has to say:

Hansi Flick, Barcelona:

“We won the Spanish Super Cup (January against Real Madrid), but it’s the past. We want to go to the Cup final, but it’s not easy,” Frick said.

“Their attitude (the players) is always the same, they always do their best. As a result, we’ll see…the team improves, I tell them. I’m grateful for what they did. But it’s football, so it’s the championship.”

Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid:

“I’m talking about how I feel. The team has a very good season; they compete in the Champions League (losed 16 rounds, lost to Real Madrid) and they’re doing well in the league. We keep playing in one game every time,” Simeone told reporters on Tuesday.

He added: “They (Barcelona) will have goals, they play in a very brave way, we have to try to get through the best moments of the game and isolate them from the potential potential.”