FC Barcelona faced Atletico Madrid on February 26, 2025, in what was nothing short of a thrilling encounter, ending with both teams locked at 4-4. Despite leading 4-2 at one point, Barcelona allowed Atletico back in the game, echoing past mistakes made during previous matches, leading to strong reactions from players and coaches alike.
Barcelona’s midfielder Pedri González was one of the standout performers, managing to score and contribute heavily to the team’s attacking play. After the match, he reflected somberly on the outcome, noting, “It’s not the worst result, but when you’re up 4-2, to leave with only a draw is tough.” His sentiments echoed throughout the camp after Barcelona had also relinquished leads before, indicating these issues aren’t new.
"We’ve got to learn from these things, especially keeping possession and not pushing too far back during the final minutes. It happened again, just like the last game (in LaLiga), and we can’t allow ourselves to repeatedly make the same mistakes," Pedri told Teledeporte.
The midfielder highlighted the difficult start to the match where his team conceded two goals within the first six minutes, testing their resilience early on.
Despite the harsh start, the Catalans managed to rally, going from 0-2 down to leading 4-2 at halftime, showing their tenacity and ability to fight back. Robert Lewandowski also made headlines by scoring, almost increasing the lead shortly after his initial goal. Yet, just when it seemed within grasp, Leeds United striker Alexander Sorloth equalized for Atletico, showcasing the unpredictable nature of football.
Following the game, Pedri reaffirmed his belief in the team’s capabilities as they face the second leg at Estadio Metropolitano: “We’ll go for it, we’re completely confident. When we’re on our game, we’re hard to beat. Sure, it’ll be difficult against Atletico, especially at their ground, but we’re going to go all out,” he promised.
Players have taken time to reflect on where things went wrong. Pau Cubarsí echoed similar thoughts, expressing disappointment at the way the team began the match. “We didn’t start activated, and we can’t let such things happen,” he said, appreciating the positives from the comeback as well. “We need to hold onto the good aspects; we have another full match to play,” he concluded.
This match served as yet another reminder of the fine margins in football. For Barcelona, the path to overcoming Atletico will require not only skill but the composure to maintain leads—something they must urgently address if they aim to advance to the finals of the prestigious tournament.
With both clubs coming off thrilling performances, there’s much anticipation leading up to the return leg. Atletico Madrid will surely look to capitalize on the moment, knowing they can exploit any defensive lapses, whereas Barcelona must focus on stabilizing their back line and ensuring they communicate effectively, especially when the pressure is on.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, and with both teams having the attacking prowess and skill to make significant impacts, the next match promises to be yet another entertaining chapter.
Pedri, carrying the endorsement of his coach about his role within the squad, summed up his aspirations succinctly, “I feel important on the team, as the coach tells me, but I prefer if we win and the attention is on the team.” The emphasis is clear: his desire to contribute to collective success over individual accolades, showcasing the spirit and unity within the squad.
This Copa del Rey semifinal is shaping up to be more than just matches on the field; it is about learning and growing as champions. Will Barcelona rise to the challenge and learn from past mistakes, or will Atletico exploit the same errors once again? Only time will tell as they prepare for what promises to be another high-octane encounter.