Barca Faces Atletico in Copa del Rey Semi-Final
The Copa del Rey semi-final match between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams having impressive seasons in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. With both teams having conceded only once in the Copa del Rey, the match is expected to be a closely contested one, with the winner moving closer to the title.
FC Barcelona is set to host Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals on February 25, with the match scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at the Estadio Olimpico Lluís Companys in Barcelona, and can be watched on ESPN+.
Barcelona are on a five-game winning streak, and their starting lineup is expected to include Lamine Yamal, despite an injury, and other key players like Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, Inigo Martinez, and Ronald Araujo, who were rested over the weekend. Atletico Madrid's lineup is expected to include former Atalanta player Juan Musso in goal, and other regulars in the domestic cup matches.
The match is expected to be closely contested, with both teams vying for a spot in the final. Statistics show that both teams are dominant and control the game without relying on fouls, with Barcelona averaging 8.84 fouls per game and Atlético averaging 10.76. In terms of goal efficiency, Barcelona leads with 16.22% of shots turning into goals, while Atlético is close behind with 13.59%.
The teams differ in their playing style, with Barcelona exceling in high press and possession recovery, while Atlético prioritizes defense and has conceded fewer goals, with 29 in 38 games compared to Barcelona's 41. The prediction is for a close match, with FC Barcelona winning 2-1.
The match will be a crucial one for both teams, with Atletico Madrid looking to keep their treble aspirations alive, and Barcelona aiming to maintain their momentum after a 0-2 win over Las Palmas. The winner of the semi-final will move one step closer to winning the Copa del Rey title.
