PREVIEW | Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona remain in contention on all three major fronts this season, but there is still a lot of work to do. And the Copa del Rey is no exception, where Atlético Madrid have the home advantage in Wednesday's second leg (9.30pm CET kick-off), following the thrilling 4-4 draw in the first game at the Estadi Olimpic.
What a game that was. Barça were in deep trouble after Atlético scored twice in the opening minutes, but bounced back in incredible fashion to lead 4-2 before they were stunned by two late goals and ended up having to settle for a draw.
It means Barça now have to win at the Metropolitano, never an easy task, but they can take heart from the fact that it is just two weeks since they were they last, when they won 4-2. That said, it required another comeback from 2-0 down.
And there's no doubting which of the two is the form side. Barça remain undefeated across all competitions in 2025, including an amazing run of nine consecutive wins in La Liga. In fact, the last team to beat Barça was Atlético themselves back in December.
Meanwhile, things have gone horribly wrong for Atlético, who are out of the Champions League and who have dropped away in La Liga too, now nine points off the lead after they could only draw with Espanyol at the weekend.
But that might motivate them even more for tonight's fixture. Atlético were having a wonderful season, but it is increasingly looking like the Copa del Rey might be their only chance of having a trophy to show for it at the end.
But after three tremendously eventful games between these sides already this season, there are sure to be some more twists in the dramatic tale tonight as we find out which of the two will be meeting Real Madrid in the final in Seville on April 26.
Madrid sealed their own place in the final in a scintillating encounter with Real Sociedad on Tuesday that ended 4-4 after extra time and 5-4 on aggregate.
Did you know?
Atlético Madrid have failed to progress from any of their last three Copa del Rey semi-finals. In contrast, Barça have advanced in eight of the last nine attempts.
Since losing in 2021, Barça have won their last three games played at the Metropolitano.
Barça are unbeaten in a record seven consecutive games against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
With three goals and two assists, Lamine Yamal has contributed to at least one goal in every one of his four Copa del Rey matches played to date.
Team news
Barça are still missing Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal, while Andreas Christensen is still not fully recovered, and Hansi Flick now has the additional headache of being without Marc Casadó and Dani Olmo as well.
Atlético captain Koke has been out for eight games but is not entirely out of the running for an comeback in this one, and although Robin Le Normand hurt his head against Espanyol on Saturday, it looks like he will be okay. However, striker Angel Correa is definitely out as he is serving a suspension.