On February 25, 2025, football fans eagerly await the Copa del Rey semifinal clash between two of Spain’s most storied clubs, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. Set to take place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys at 17:30 local time (Brasília time), this highly anticipated matchup is expected to be thrilling as both teams vie for a place in the final.
Barcelona enters the match riding high on the back of 13 unbeaten games, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the title. The team, managed by Hansi Flick, currently leads La Liga with 54 points, equal with Real Madrid but holding the tiebreaker advantage. They advanced to this semifinal with impressive victories, including a decisive 5-0 win over Valencia in the quarterfinals, and have scored 14 goals with only one conceded across their knockout encounters.
Key players for the Catalan side include Robert Lewandowski, who has been pivotal this season with 18 goals, and the promising young talent Lamine Yamal, both expected to spearhead their attack. Despite facing some injury concerns with players like Marc-André ter Stegen and Lamine Yamal, Barcelona boasts depth and experience, making them formidable opponents.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid also arrives at this fixture with strong momentum, having gone unbeaten across their past eight matches, including six straight victories. Under the astute guidance of Diego Simeone, they rank third in La Liga with 53 points, trailing their rivals closely. The team has also showcased their prowess during the cup, dominating their quarterfinal against Getafe with a 5-0 victory and scoring ten goals throughout their last three matches.
The attacking prowess of Antoine Griezmann, who has netted 16 goals this season, paired with the dynamic play of Julián Álvarez, who has quickly made his mark since joining from Manchester City, sets up an exciting offensive lineup. Atlético’s recent form will give them confidence as they aim to upset Barcelona away from home, particularly after having beaten them 2-1 in their last La Liga encounter.
Historically, the rivalry between these two clubs has produced some memorable moments, with their matchups often characterized by intense competition. Of the 243 encounters recorded, Barcelona has claimed victory 110 times, compared to Atlético's 76 wins and 57 draws. The last few years have seen Atlético gain ground; they defeated Barcelona twice last season, ending impressive winning streaks for the Catalans.
Both teams are not just competing for cup glory, but also for bragging rights and confidence as they continue to battle for the La Liga title. With Barcelona's strong home record—16 wins and just one loss from their last 25 games at home—it is their time to leverage their home advantage.
The match will be broadcasted live on ESPN and streamed on Disney+, allowing fans to catch all the action as it happens. Following this semifinal match, the second leg will be held on April 2, 2025, at Atlético Madrid's home ground, the Estadio Metropolitano, where the finalists will be determined.
Expectations are high for this semifinal, with both teams aiming to secure early dominance in their respective tactics. Barcelona will likely focus on their ball possession strategy and slash open Atlético’s defense with quick passing and movement, whereas Atlético is expected to adopt their classic counter-attacking style, capitalizing on any defensive lapses from Barcelona.
All eyes will be on the stars of the match. Can Barcelona continue their impressive spell and utilize their experience to take the upper hand, or will Atlético Madrid disrupt their rhythm and assert their own dominance? The answer awaits on the pitch.