Atletico Madrid will play the semi-finals of Copa del Rey against defending champions Barcelona on the 1st of February at the Vicente Calderón.
After disappointing weekends in La Liga, both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will be out to bounce back in what is a mouthwatering Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Vicente Calderon.
Atletico Madrid reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, after eliminating Guijuelo in the round of 32, UD Las Palmas in the last 16 and Eibar in the quarter-finals. The blaugranas have progressed in the cup competition having knocked out Hércules, Athletic Club and Real Sociedad.
The Catalans are 180 minutes away from a place in the final but they face a challenging tie against Simeone’s men. Luis Enrique’s side will be looking to come back from Madrid with a positive result ahead of the return leg at the Camp Nou as they seek to win the Copa for the third year in a row. Barca are aiming to become the first team in the modern era to win the trophy three times in a row.
Diego Simeone’s side will not enter the tie in the highest of spirits after only being able to pick up a point during their latest league match. Alavés, who were also on the back of celebrating their passage to the final four of the cup, not only managed to hold Atlético to a goalless draw but were left feeling slightly disappointed at not gaining all three points.
The hosts amassed 19 shots on goal and claimed 61 per cent of possession but nevertheless could not break down Atlético’s tough defence. Simeone’s men lie in fourth place, seven points behind Barça and Sevilla, and ten behind leaders Real Madrid.
Real Betis’ decent performance and referee’s critical decisions stopped Barcelona’s impressive five-win streak last weekend at Benito Villamarin. Blaugrana had a clear goal disallowed as the main referee could not see that the ball was well behind the line which left Luis Enrique and his men four points behind their arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top. The brutal schedule continues as the Catalans have only two days for rest before the travel to Vicente Calderon and the first leg of Copa del Rey semifinal with Atletico Madrid.
Head to Head
The sides’ previous meeting this season in La Liga saw them play out a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou in September, while their last game at the Calderon saw Los Rojiblancos knock the Catalans out of the Champions League last April with a 2-0 victory.
Prior to that European success, though, Barca had recorded seven consecutive wins against the side from the Spanish capital.
Match Facts
- Barca netted at least four goals in three of their last five matches meaning that Atleti’s defense will be on a serious challenge this Wednesday
- Atletico managed to keep four clean sheets in last six home matches
- However, Simeone’s men have conceded two goals in three of their last six games
- Barcelona have scored in every away game they have played this season in all competitions
- Barcelona have netted at least twice in four of their last seven meetings with Atleti, including in two of their last three visits to the Calderon
Team News
Atletico Madrid
Uruguayan centre-back Jose Gimenez picked up a thigh injury in the Alaves match and will miss this match.
Barcelona
Rafinha has been declared fully recovered from his hamstring injury and has been included in the travelling party. One the downside, Lucas Digne is having trouble with his left knee and has been left off the list.
As in last week’s cup game against Real Sociedad, Ter Stegen is being rested and his place in the squad is taken instead by Jordi Masip. Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta are still unavailable after picking up injuries against Eibar and Real Sociedad respectively.
Predicted line-ups
Atletico Madrid: Moya; Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Felipe Luis; Gabi, Saul, Koke, Gaitan; Griezmann, Gameiro.
Barcelona: Cillessen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; D. Suarez, Mascherano, Gomes; Messi, L. Suarez, Neymar.
