Stat contrast between Barça and Atlético
Both Barça and Atlético Madrid are having excellent seasons, with both clubs still involved in the battle for the league, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. The two clubs meet this week in the first leg of their domestic cup semi-final at the Estadi Olímpic, so we take a look at where the stats show the similarities and differences between the teams.
Dominant sides, few fouls
Figures for fouls committed show two sides who can control game without the need for breaking up the play. Stats from La Liga place Barça as the team who have second fewest fouls with an average of 8.84 per game, with Diego Simeone's side in third place with 10.76 per match.
Efficiency in front of goal
Precision in front of goal shows Barça as leaders with 16.22% of all their shots ending up as goals. Rivals Atlético are not far behind with 13.59%, and if we look at their paths in this season's Copa del Rey, we find more similarities.
Copa del Rey goalscorers
Atlético have played five matches in the Copa del Rey, two more than a Barça side who missed the first two rounds as they were taking part in the Spanish Super Cup. Both teams have conceded just once on their way to the semi-finals whilst Barça have scored 14 goals and Atlético one more with 15. Of the team remaining in the cup, Ferran Torres of Barça and Atlético striker Julián Álvarez lead the way in terms of goalscoring with four each.
The high press
One of the differences highlights the varying styles of the two teams. When it comes to recovering possession in the opposing half, Barça lead the rankings in La Liga with a total of 215. Atlético are only in 11th place in this category with 164, an indication of their preference to sit back and defend deep rather the chasing the ball in their opponents' half of the pitch.
Atlético's defensive strength
Another area of difference is in goals conceded. Barça have improved in this aspect in 2025 with the arrival of Szczęsny as number one between the posts bringing six clean sheets. However, in 38 games in all competitions, Hansi Flick's team have still conceded 41 goals compared to Atlético's 29 in the same number of games. Ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña and Szczęsny have 12 clean sheets between them, but Oblak and Musso have 17 for Simeone's team.
Now, the stats will stand to one side as the two team meet over two legs for a place in the Copa del Rey final.