The Metropolitano will decide

A game between Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona always promises excitement, and even more so when it's a semi-final. Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarter final is the fourth meeting of the season between the two sides, and is special for many reasons.

The three games so far this season have produced a win for each team and one draw. It all began with Atlético's 2-1 win at the Estadi Olimpic late in 2024. Then came the dramatic 4-4 draw at Montjuïc in the first leg of the cup semi-final, and just two weeks ago, Barça came from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at the Metropolitano in the league. So today will decide which of the two teams comes out tops from their games in 2024/25.

Changing dynamic

A lot can change in a month. Atlético Madrid came into the first leg in astonishing form. But despite being on solid course in all three major competitions, things have turned horribly wrong for Diego Simeone and his men. They crashed out of the Champions League on penalties to local rivals Real Madrid, and defeats to Getafe and Barça and a draw with Espanyol have distanced them from the front two in La Liga. The Copa del Rey is now the red-and-whites' biggest remaining hope of having a trophy to show for what, until now, was a fabulous season.

Comeback stage

There have been plenty of thrills in the Barça v Atlético games so far this season. 17 goals in three games! More than five a match. And every game has seen a comeback. Atlético came from 1-0 down to snatch a win in the league game with a goal in the 96th minute. And in the cup first leg they took a quick 2-0 lead, but Barça replied with four goals before the frustrating finale when Atlético scored twice, the final goal also late in injury time, to make it 4-4.

The league game at the Metropolitano was curiously similar. Again Atlético went 2-0 up, and again Barça scored four times in reply. But this time, with Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres scoring the winners in extra time, there was no time for Atlético to produce a repetition of their recovery at Montjuic.