Barcelona and Atletico Madrid played to an exhilarating 4-4 draw during the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on March 28, 2023. The frenetic contest was filled with twists, turns, and drama, enthralling fans and leaving both teams with plenty to ponder heading to the decisive second leg on April 2.
It all began on a shocking note for the Catalans, as Atletico Madrid stunned them with two quick goals. Just one minute after kick-off, Julián Álvarez opened the scoring, followed closely by Antoine Griezmann, who capitalized on a counterattack to double Atletico’s lead within the first six minutes. Atletico looked set to dominate this cup tie.
Yet, the resilient Barcelona side, under the guidance of head coach Hansi Flick, rallied back from the early deficit, demonstrating their attacking prowess and teamwork. Young star Pedri ignited the comeback, netting Barcelona’s first goal waiving the early jitters, after Lamine Yamal executed a brilliant play.
Just minutes later, Cubarsí beautifully headed home to level the contest at 2-2. Barcelona’s comeback continued as Íñigo Martínez added a third goal, placing the home team securely above Atletico with a 3-2 advantage before halftime. The crowd was electric, and Barcelona seemed to be cruising.
By the 83rd minute, it appeared Barcelona would seize the day with Robert Lewandowski substituting Ferran Torres, who failed to convert two opportunities against the goalkeeper. Lewandowski took the lead and scored, pushing the score to 4-2, showcasing Barcelona’s offensive capabilities.
Despite being two goals down with just seven minutes left on the clock, Atletico’s drive remained unwavering. Marcos Llorente’s strike began their resurgence, followed by Alexander Sorloth’s equalizer, leaving the game tied at 4-4 by the final whistle. Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses came to the fore, surprising the home crowd who had expected to celebrate victory.
Post-match, Flick expressed his mixed feelings about the result. “We have to work on this. We played a great game, but we conceded four goals, and it is too many,” he reflected. While he appreciated the team's attitude following the initial setback, he acknowledged the pressing need to tighten their defense.
The coach emphasized his satisfaction with the overall performance of his team, stating, “I am happy with the team… but it’s not the best result.” He remained optimistic, “We can win at the Metropolitano; we have another chance.” Flick underscored the importance of utilizing this game as motivation for the second leg and working on their mistakes.
Barcelona’s standout player once again was Pedri, who not only scored their opening goal but was also pivotal across the pitch. “He cannot be described. He enjoys playing football, and you can see it both on the training ground and on the pitch,” Flick praised, highlighting the 20-year-old’s remarkable abilities.
Looking back, the game was more than just numbers on the scoreboard. It was filled with emotion and showcased the tenacity of both teams. Barcelona, known for their flair, demonstrated flashes of brilliance, spurred by the likes of Pedri and Lewandowski, but they lacked the concentration to hold onto their lead.
On the other end, Atletico proved their mettle yet again. Despite being on the back foot for significant portions of the match, their grit shines through the late equalizers. Their comeback showed why they are formidable opponents, and the match was commendable for both sides.
The equalizing match left players, coaches, and fans discussing what more could have been done to avoid the late game slip. It's unclear what Barcelona will take away from this intense encounter. Hansi Flick's belief shines through as he says, “We are on the right track. The team is confident and focused on the future.”
With the second leg looming, both teams will have the opportunity to prove themselves once more, and with the current momentum at their backs, Atletico will come ready to challenge Barcelona once again. Will the lessons learned and adjustments made be enough for Barcelona to advance to the final? Only time will tell as the Copa del Rey proceedings continue.