Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: Copa del Rey Preview

Setting the Scene

For Atlético Madrid, this tie represents their last realistic shot at silverware this season. Diego Simeone's side have hit a turbulent run of form, crashing out of the Champions League on penalties to rivals Real Madrid and slipping further behind in the La Liga title race. Most recently, a 1-1 draw away at Espanyol extended their winless league run to three games, leaving them with work to do on multiple fronts.

Atleti’s first-leg comeback—from 4-2 down to level at 4-4—showed resilience, but questions remain about their consistency and defensive solidity. They have not progressed from a Copa del Rey semi-final since winning the trophy in 2013 and will need to be at their best against a Barcelona side firing on all cylinders.

Barcelona, by contrast, are riding a wave of momentum. The Catalan giants have not lost a match in 20 outings across all competitions (W17, D3), most recently dismantling Girona 4-1 in La Liga to stay top of the table. That win made them the first Spanish team to score 139 goals in their first 45 competitive matches of a season—an attacking record that will strike fear into any opponent.

Hansi Flick’s side are still chasing a domestic treble, having lifted the Spanish Super Cup earlier in the campaign, and now stand just 90 minutes away from a first Copa del Rey final since 2021.

Recent Form

Atlético Madrid:

• Winless in their last three La Liga matches (D1, L2)
• Eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals
• Just two wins from their last seven matches in all competitions

Barcelona:

• Unbeaten in 20 straight matches
• Scored 11 goals in their last three games
• Two consecutive wins since the international break, scoring 7 and conceding 1

Head-to-Head Stats

• The 4-4 draw in the first leg was the highest-scoring Copa del Rey match between these two sides in over a decade.
• Barcelona have won their last three visits to the Metropolitano in all competitions.
• Atlético Madrid haven’t eliminated Barcelona in the Copa del Rey since 2015.
• The Catalans have progressed from eight of their last nine semi-final appearances in the competition.

Team News

Atlético Madrid:

• Koke remains doubtful as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.
• Robin Le Normand is expected to be available after a head injury but could start on the bench.
• Ángel Correa continues to serve a five-match suspension.
• Rodrigo De Paul, José María Giménez, and Julián Álvarez are all expected to return to the starting XI after being rested at the weekend.
• Simeone may deploy Reinildo Mandava to help deal with the pace of Lamine Yamal.

Barcelona:

• Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Marc Casado remain sidelined.
• Andreas Christensen faces a late fitness test, while Dani Olmo is ruled out with an adductor issue.
• Young defender Pau Cubarsí may return to the starting lineup, possibly replacing Ronald Araújo.
• Frenkie de Jong could be restored to the midfield after coming off the bench against Girona.
• Raphinha, rested at the weekend, is in contention to start in attack.

A spot in the Copa del Rey final is on the line. Atlético are desperate to salvage their season with silverware, while Barcelona are eager to continue their pursuit of a domestic treble. With the tie delicately balanced after an eight-goal thriller in the first leg, the second leg promises to deliver drama, quality, and possibly another classic in this historic rivalry.