Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are set for an electrifying showdown at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, as they clash in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. The first leg ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw, leaving both teams eager to secure a place in the final against Real Madrid, who recently triumphed over Real Sociedad with a dramatic last-minute goal from Antonio Rudiger.
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has expressed admiration for Barcelona's star striker, Robert Lewandowski, who is enjoying a remarkable season. The 36-year-old Polish forward has netted an impressive 38 goals across 42 appearances this season, with 25 of those coming in La Liga, making him the league's top scorer ahead of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe. Lewandowski's consistency and influence on the pitch have not gone unnoticed by Simeone, who praised the veteran striker's work ethic and perseverance.
“Congratulations to him for an extraordinary season,” Simeone said. “What I admire is his perseverance, his work, his continuity. He is a player to admire, one of the No. 9’s to watch and learn from.” Lewandowski himself is targeting the milestone of 100 goals for Barcelona, currently sitting at 97. “Reaching 100 goals for Barcelona is one of the goals for the season,” Lewandowski stated. “It's a dream for me. We still have lots of games to play and we want to be in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals, and win La Liga.”
The stakes are high for Atletico, who find themselves nine points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona and have been eliminated from the Champions League by their arch-rivals. Simeone's side views the Copa del Rey as their most realistic chance for silverware this season. “Failure is not trying. If you don’t try, you fail,” Simeone remarked, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming match. “We’ve done well in the Champions League, competed in La Liga and reached the semi-finals of the cup. The outcome will determine whether it’s been a very good season or just an average one.”
As for Barcelona, they are navigating a demanding schedule, with this match being the third of nine fixtures in a grueling 29-day stretch, including a Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund. Despite the hectic calendar, Barcelona has managed to maintain a strong performance. However, they face a formidable challenge from Atletico, who have proven to be tough competition this season.
In their last encounter in La Liga, Barcelona pulled off a comeback victory against Atletico, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2 at the Metropolitano. Goals from Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal capped off a thrilling match that showcased Barcelona's attacking prowess.
Looking ahead to the match, Atletico will be without Angel Correa due to suspension but have a clean bill of health otherwise. Simeone has confirmed that Copa goalkeeper Juan Musso will start ahead of Jan Oblak, and he is expected to make some tactical adjustments. Reports suggest that Cesar Azpilicueta may start over Conor Gallagher and Samuel Lino, with Marcos Llorente moving into midfield. Additionally, Reinildo Mandava is likely to be preferred at left-back over Javi Galan, while Giuliano Simeone is expected to shift to the left side, and Clement Lenglet will start ahead of Robin Le Normand.
For Barcelona, manager Hansi Flick has indicated that Gavi will take on a role typically filled by the injured Dani Olmo. Meanwhile, Pau Cubarsi and Raphinha are set to return to the starting XI after recovering from injuries sustained during international duty. However, the team will be without several key players, including Olmo, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Andreas Christensen.
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:30 CEST, and fans can catch the action live on SSC1 HD and L’Équipe TV. Given the high-scoring nature of their previous encounters, including a combined 17 goals in three matches this season, spectators can expect another thrilling display of football.
As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, the sense of urgency is palpable. Atletico Madrid's hopes of salvaging their season depend heavily on this match, while Barcelona aims to keep their trophy ambitions alive. With both managers exchanging praise for each other's teams, the stage is set for a captivating clash that could have lasting implications for both clubs.
Predicted lineups for the match see Atletico Madrid fielding Juan Musso, Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, Clement Lenglet, Cesar Azpilicueta, Giuliano Simeone, Conor Gallagher, Pablo Barrios, Samuel Lino, Alexander Sorloth, and Julian Alvarez. Barcelona is expected to start Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Eric García, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski.
As the tension builds ahead of the Copa del Rey semi-final, both teams are aware that the outcome could define their seasons. Will Atletico Madrid rise to the occasion, or will Barcelona continue their quest for glory? One thing is certain: this match promises to be a spectacle not to be missed.
