High-Stakes Match-Up: Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey Semifinal
High-flying Barcelona is set to host fellow Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Tuesday, February 27. The stakes are incredibly high, as Barça looks to keep their treble hopes alive, while Atleti faces an incredibly demanding stretch of fixtures.
Barcelona: On the Brink of Glory
Barcelona is in a formidable position, leading the La Liga table on goal difference, standing strong among the favorites in the Champions League, and now among the last four in the domestic cup. Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, the team is surging with a blend of youth and experience. The generational talent coming through the ranks, coupled with an exceptional fitness record, has propelled them to a 14-match unbeaten run since their last defeat against Atleti. That 2-1 loss to Diego Simeone’s side in October now seems like a distant memory.
Atletico Madrid: The Month from Hell
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, is about to enter a grueling period of matches. Over the next month, they will face Barcelona three times—once in La Liga and twice in the Copa del Rey—and will also square off against Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16. Adding to the pressure, they have a crucial league fixture against Athletic Club this coming weekend. The entirety of March will test the resolve and resilience of Diego Simeone’s team, requiring nothing short of a lionhearted effort to navigate this brutal schedule.
Team News: Barcelona
Hansi Flick has almost a fully healthy squad at his disposal, which offers him the flexibility to continue rotating players. Center-back Ronaldo Araujo may return to the starting eleven after sitting out the recent match against Las Palmas. Other rotation options at center-back include Eric Garcia, Inigo Martinez, and the talented youngster Pau Cubarsi. In midfield, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo share the No. 10 position, while Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Marc Casado are all in the mix. The only absentees are Marc-Andre ter Stegen (ACL) and Andreas Christensen (foot), with Christensen close to a return but needing more training. There are also concerns about Lamine Yamal, who posted a photo of a bloody foot following the Las Palmas win, although Flick remains positive about his participation.
Predicted Lineup: Barcelona
Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
- Defenders: Jules Kounde, Ronaldo Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde
- Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Pedri
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal (if fit), Dani Olmo, Raphinha
- Striker: Robert Lewandowski
Team News: Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone is expected to continue his rotation strategy, particularly in defense. Juan Musso is likely to start in goal for the Copa del Rey as he has done throughout the competition this season, giving veteran Jan Oblak a rest. At left-back, Cesar Azpilicueta and Javi Galan have both seen significant playing time, and Axel Witsel could also feature if Simeone opts for a five-back system. With Pablo Barrios suspended for the upcoming Madrid derby in the Champions League, he might be deployed here to rotate with Marcos Llorente and Conor Gallagher. The only long-term absentee for Atleti is veteran midfielder Koke, who is expected to miss a few weeks due to a muscle injury.
Predicted Lineup: Atletico Madrid
Formation: 4-4-2
- Goalkeeper: Juan Musso
- Defenders: Marcos Molina, Jose Gimenez, Andre Le Normand, Javi Galan
- Midfielders: Geoffrey Kondogbia, Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios, Diego Lino
- Forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Joaquin Alvarez
How to Watch: Live Stream and TV Channels
Here’s how you can catch the action from this crucial Copa del Rey semifinal across major regions:
- USA: Tuesday, February 27, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT — ESPN+
- Canada: Tuesday, February 27, 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT — ESPN+
- UK: Tuesday, February 27, 7:30 p.m. GMT — Premier Sports 2 / Premier Player
- Australia: Wednesday, February 28, 7:30 a.m. ADST — streaming
- India: Wednesday, February 28, 1:30 a.m. IST — streaming
Both teams are gearing up for a battle that could define their seasons, and fans around the world are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an unforgettable encounter.
