Atletico Madrid VS Barça- Copa Del Rey Semi Final 2nd Leg Match Preview

It’s another day and yet another huge game for Barca. This time, it’s away from La liga as we turn our attention to a huge match in the Copa Del Rey. Tonight from 9pm local time, live from the Metropolitana, its the 2nd leg of the Copa Del Rey semi finals against Atletico Madrid.

It’s felt like we’ve already played them a lot this season, but its the final meeting between the two teams this season. And it couldn’t be on a bigger occasion either. Currently, the score is level at 4-4. Technically a 0-0 start so that’s interesting in itself. So lets jump straight into the preview.

A Quick Look at our opponents:

As we’ve already faced Atleti 3 times this season, there’s no need to go over who their big hitters are and what their form has been like. We all know the quality they possess and the threat they pose to us. As always, a Simeone team is very strong defensively and they’ve also got key players in attack who can hurt you at any point. In terms of this particular competition, the Copa Del Rey, you’ll remember the first leg at home and it couldn’t of been a more crazier game. So many different aspects of it.

To go down 2-0n right at the start, but to then pull it back to 4-2 by the last 10 minutes. And then just as you thought the game was done, barca switched off and allowed Atleti to score two quick goals to equalise the game. It was a mad game and an unnecessary one too. But one where both teams would’ve picked up a lot of ideas and ,seasons to learn for this upcoming 2nd leg. The last time we faced Atleti was just before the international break, in La liga. Which again was another crazy end to that game. So to be frank, I wouldn’t imagine anything less coming into tonight’s huge game.

Predicted lineup:

When it comes to the lineup, we wee fortunate enough to be able to rest a few players on the weekend, such as Balde, Raphinha, Frenkie and Cubarsi. Pedri, Yamal and Kounde were my guesses as to who might get a rest as they’ve played a lot of football. But that wasn’t the case. I don’t think well see anyone rested tonight, as the game is just too big. But I soundly believe surprised to see a couple sit out for our next game after this on the weekend. So with that being said, i would imagine Flick will go very strong.

Araujo is going to be very important off the bench in this game i think. As he played the full 90 on Sunday, I don’t think he’ll start again today. So it’ll most likely be Balde, Cubarsi, Iñigo and Kounde in defence. I would love to see Gavi alongside Pedri in the deeper position with Fermin Lopez at the number 10 position. Or it could be Frenkie next to Pedri with Gavi more advanced. And then in attack, it will be the return of Raphinha to the left with Lewandowski and Yamal finishing off the lineup.