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Atletico Madrid host Barcelona on Wednesday in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. The first leg in February produced a dramatic 4-4 draw, setting the stage for another electric contest.
Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT) and fans can catch the action live on SSC1 HD and L’Équipe TV.
Atletico, nine points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona, see the Copa del Rey as their most realistic route to silverware this season. Diego Simeone’s side were knocked out from the Champions League by their arch-rivals Real Madrid in the last 16 and have struggled to mount a sustained LaLiga challenge domestically.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are navigating a hectic schedule. Wednesday’s game is the third of nine matches in a gruelling 29-day period, including a Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund. So far, they have handled the workload well. However, Atletico present a much sterner test.
The two sides last met in La Liga in March, when Barcelona overturned a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2 at the Metropolitano. Goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth had put Atletico ahead, but a late surge saw Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal turn the game on its head.
The sense of urgency is palpable for Atletico. Following their Champions League exit and fading league hopes, the Copa del Rey represents their best chance of salvaging the season. Simeone, however, remains defiant.
“Failure is not trying. If you don’t try, you fail,” he said. “We’ve done well in the Champions League, competed in La Liga and reached the semi-finals of the cup. The outcome will determine whether it’s been a very good season or just an average one.”
Simeone has called for his players to approach the match with the same energy they showed in the first leg.
“Against Barcelona, we must play with joy and belief,” he added. “We won’t change our style.”
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, despite financial constraints, remain in contention for multiple trophies. The German is cautious, though, warning against complacency.
“We know we have won nothing yet,” Flick said. “Yes, we won the Supercopa, but that’s in the past. This is our nearest chance at a title, but the same applies to Atletico.”
Both managers exchanged praise ahead of the tie, with Flick lauding Atletico’s intensity and structure, while Simeone acknowledged Barcelona’s attacking threat.
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.
Predicted Score:
This could be tough to predict, but Barcelona’s firepower and returning players may give them the edge.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid 1-3 Barcelona.
