Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
You better believe it!
In any season over the past 12 years or so – in fact, pretty much since Diego Simeone took charge in these of Atletico Madrid – this game has always had an edge.
Now with a place in the Copa del Rey Final at stake, that will certainly be the case again in midweek.
Incredibly this will be their fourth meeting in little over three months and you know what they say about familiarity!
Talking Points
Both teams come into this showdown in contrasting form.
While Barcelona have just won two home games in four days and are three points clear of La Liga, a 1-1 draw at relegation strugglers Espanyol on Saturday effectively ended Atletico’s title dream.
That means this is their final chance of silverware this term.
And while they must be emotionally and physically drained after events of the past few weeks, my admiration for them would reach new heights were they to pull off a midweek scalp and send the Catalan kings out of the competition.
The only upbeat note for Simeone’s men at the weekend came when Antoine Griezmann made his 521st appearance in the Spanish top flight, the most by any foreign player, beating the record previously held by Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
The majority of Griezmann’s league appearances have come with Atletico, of course. He’s played 306 times for Simeone’s side, made 141 outings for Real Sociedad and 74 for Barca.
How he would love to deliver Copa del Rey 2025 highlights on Wednesday night and move one step closer to glory with the club where he is adored.
The hosts will be hoping captain Koke can return after eight games out with a muscle problem.
Realistically, he may be deemed fit enough to be on the bench alongside Robin Le Normand who was forced off at the weekend with a head injury.
Angel Correa is suspended but the likes of Jose Maria Gimenez, Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez will surely start after only being used as substitutes on Saturday, following long journeys back from international duty in South America.
For Barca, it seems to be a similar story with the Brazilian Raphinha who was not risked at the weekend.
Centre back Andreas Christensen will have to be assessed but Dani Olmo (adductor) is definitely out.
Despite a few key absentees on both sides, the line-ups contain plenty of star billing which will befit a contest where every second counts and no quarter will be given.
History
Until a few days before Christmas, Barcelona had won the last five meetings in a row, a result which stretched back to October 2021.
Then they went to Barca and produced a last-gasp smash and grab with Alexander Sorloth netting a 96th minute winner, all this after De Paul had cancelled out Pedri’s opener for the hosts.
Fast forward to February and the sides produced an epic first leg semi-final in this tie.
Again it was a superb comeback from Atletico in the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys; again they scored a last-gasp goal through Sorloth.
Momentum swung back and forth in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, with former Manchester City attacker Alvarez stunning the hosts after just 50 seconds and Griezmann adding a second soon after.
The hosts recovered from their sluggish start with a Pedri finish and a Pau Cubarsi header drawing them level with 19 minutes on the clock.
Another first-half header from Inigo Martinez and a second-half finish from Robert Lewandowski appeared to have set Hansi Flick’s team on the way to a win, before Atletico mounted a comeback of their own.
Marcos Llorente got a third for Simeone’s side late on, before substitute Sorloth clinched a dramatic draw in the third minute of added time to leave the tie in the balance.
Just a fortnight ago, it was Barca’s turn to break hears and pile on anguish for Atletico as they fought back from 2-0 down to win 4-2 in La Liga. The crucial stoppage time winner came when teenage star Lamine Yamal broke Atletico hearts with a deflected effort which summed up the misfortune they had experienced all week.
Atletico have only won four of their last 22 meetings, all over a couple of seasons, including a Spanish Super Cup thriller at the start of 2020.
They will also remember fondly the Champions League quarter-finals in 2016, played at their former Vicente Calderon ground, when two first half goals from Griezmann sealed a 2-0 success and a 3-2 aggregate win to send the holders crashing out after they had won the first leg 2-1.
Overall, Barcelona have triumphed in 37 of their 71 matches with 18 Atletico successes and 16 draws.
Betting Tip
Don’t ask me why but I just have a feeling Atletico will rise to the occasion once more and do a number on high-flying Barca.
The visitors are slight favourites with the SBOTOP Copa del Rey 2025 betting odds, priced 1X2 @ 2.42, compared to Los Rojiblancos who are on offer 1X2 @ 2.60.
Likewise with Asian Handicap, options include Barca -0.50 @ 2.42 and Atletico 0.00 @ 2.11 – which is my *** tip incidentally.
I do expect goals, perhaps not as many as over 3.25 @ 2.42 and certainly not as many as the eight we were treated to in the first leg, although Correct Score 4-4 will pay out at a whopping @ 250.00.
Lightning doesn’t strike twice, of course, but it’s well worth considering Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.06 and, perhaps, 4-6 @ 2.77.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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