Barcelona and Atlético Madrid will clash on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 17:30 (Brasília time). This highly anticipated match pits two of Spain's top clubs against each other as they vie for the prestigious title.
The stakes are high for both teams. Barcelona, the record-holder with 31 Copa del Rey trophies, seeks to regain glory after last winning the cup during the 2020/21 season. Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, the team has been on fire lately, boasting five consecutive wins and leading La Liga. They secured their spot in the semifinals by trouncing Valencia 5-0, with Ferran Torres netting three goals.
Atlético Madrid, on the other hand, aims to break its 12-year title drought and is positioned well under coach Diego Simeone's leadership. Currently sitting third in La Liga, just one point behind Barcelona, Atlético also delivered impressive performances recently, including beating Valencia 3-0 before the semifinals. With ten titles, the team is determined to add another Copa del Rey trophy to its history.
Barcelona enters the match with nearly its full squad, missing only Marc-André ter Stegen and Marc Bernal due to injuries. Star forward Lamine Yamal's availability remains uncertain after sustaining a foot injury but is expected to play. The probable lineup for Barcelona includes Szczesny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, and Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, and Raphinha; followed by Lewandowski at the forefront.
Atlético Madrid, with only Koke sidelined due to injury, is set to field its best players including Juan Musso as goalkeeper, with Molina, Giménez, Le Normand, and Galán forming the defense. The midfield will see De Paul, Pablo Barrios, and Llorente, with Griezmann and Julián Álvarez spearheading the attack.
The first leg of the semifinal promises to be exhilarating. Fans will have the opportunity to catch the action live on ESPN and the streaming platform Disney+. The return leg is scheduled for April 2, 2025, at the Wanda Metropolitano, where emotions will run high as both clubs seek progression to face either Real Madrid or Real Sociedad in the final.
Experts and fans alike have high expectations for this upcoming match. Given both teams' competitive nature and recent form, many believe the game could feature several goals. Betting odds indicate Barcelona as the favorite, with various sportsbooks setting odds for their victory around 1.73, compared to Atlético Madrid's odds of around 4.10.
With the atmosphere at the Estadio Olímpico set to be electric, supporters will surely pack the stands to witness this monumental clash between two titans of Spanish football. Will Barcelona continue its stronghold on the Copa del Rey title, or will Atlético Madrid reclaim the trophy after more than a decade? One thing's for certain – football fans are in for a treat!