Barcelona eye a Copa del Rey last spot as they journey to the Metropolitano for a decisive semifinal second leg in opposition to a struggling Atletico Madrid.
The first leg left followers breathless in a wild 4-4 draw, organising a high-stakes rematch.
With Real Madrid or Real Sociedad ready within the last, Barcelona goal to maintain their treble hopes alive, whereas Atletico battle to salvage their season.
Barcelona’s dominance
The Blaugrana are using a wave of momentum.
Since their 2-1 league loss to Atletico in December, Hansi Flick’s aspect has been unstoppable, stringing collectively a staggering 20-game unbeaten run throughout all competitions (W17, D3).
They sit atop La Liga, are Champions League quarterfinalists, and now stand getting ready to their first Copa del Rey last since 2020-21.
Barcelona returned from the worldwide break with authority, dismantling Osasuna 3-0 earlier than overpowering Girona 4-1.
Robert Lewandowski’s brace, Ferran Torres’ precision, and an personal objective from Ladislav Krejci strengthened their attacking firepower.
Sunday’s rout additionally noticed them set a brand new milestone – 139 targets in 45 aggressive matches this season, the very best tally in La Liga.
Their away document on the Metropolitano affords additional confidence.
Since their final defeat there in October 2021, Barcelona have claimed victory of their previous three visits.
Moreover, their monitor document in Copa del Rey semifinals is formidable, having superior in eight of their final 9 appearances.
Their sole failure got here in 2022-23 in opposition to Real Madrid, a painful 5-1 combination loss.
Atletico’s downward spiral
While Barcelona surge ahead, Atletico Madrid are on the ropes.
Diego Simeone’s squad has suffered a nightmare stretch, watching their Champions League ambitions collapse and their La Liga title hopes fade.
Their current struggles started with back-to-back 2-1 defeats in opposition to Real Madrid and Getafe.
A valiant 1-0 second-leg win over Los Blancos in Europe was not sufficient, as they bowed out by way of penalties.
Domestically, they squandered a two-goal lead in opposition to Barcelona in a 4-2 loss, then stumbled to a 1-1 draw in opposition to Espanyol, extending their winless league run to a few matches.
Atleti now sit 9 factors off the La Liga summit with 9 video games to play.
The Copa del Rey represents their final life like shot at silverware, however historical past is in opposition to them.
They have did not progress from their final three semifinal appearances within the competitors.
Team news, tactical battles
Barcelona will likely be with out Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Marc Casado, whereas Andreas Christensen faces a late health take a look at.
Dani Olmo, dominated out for 3 weeks with an adductor harm, joins the absentee checklist.
Defender Pau Cubarsi, sidelined for the previous two matches, might return to interchange Ronald Araujo.
In midfield, Frenkie de Jong is prone to begin after that includes instead in opposition to Girona.
Raphinha, rested over the weekend, is predicted to return to the lineup.
Atletico face their very own setbacks.
Captain Koke is racing to recuperate from a muscle harm that has sidelined him for eight matches.
Robin Le Normand, pressured off in opposition to Espanyol with a head harm, could solely make the bench.
Angel Correa stays suspended for utilizing foul language towards a referee.
However, Jose Maria Gimenez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Julian Alvarez are set to return to the beginning XI after their worldwide duties.
Simeone might flip to Reinildo Mandava to counter the explosive risk of Lamine Yamal, a key participant in Barcelona’s assault.
Source: www.dailysabah.com