Atletico Madrid take on the visitors Real Sociedad in the final match of Copa del Rey. The match will be played on Saturday, April 18th at Estadio de La Cartuja (Sevilla).
Atlético still hold a European record — at least among top clubs — for the length of time with the same head coach, Diego Simeone. However, in recent seasons he has mostly been treading water with his side, and at times even losing ground, as in the season before last when they finished behind Girona FC. Recently, though, Atlético have looked more balanced, especially in big matches where they rely on discipline and efficiency. Their results in decisive fixtures suggest they are capable of handling pressure and grinding out wins. In La Liga, there is now a persistent rival in Villarreal CF, who are reluctant to give up 3rd place. In the UEFA Champions League, the Spaniards not only reached the playoffs but also eliminated Club Brugge and Tottenham Hotspur. Against FC Barcelona, they built an advantage away and then held on for a 2–1 result on Tuesday, advancing to the semi-finals. They also knocked out the Catalans in the domestic cup semi-final — although after a 4–0 home win, they conceded three unanswered goals away.
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Real Sociedad have significantly improved after another managerial change. “Txuri-urdin” achieved a lot under Imanol Alguacil, from winning the cup to reaching the Champions League playoffs. However, the last two years were marked by decline, culminating in an 11th-place finish last spring. Even after Imanol’s departure, the current campaign did not start well, but things have changed recently. Their performances have become more stable, and they have been picking up points more consistently, especially against direct rivals. The turning point came with the appointment of Pellegrino Matarazzo. The American coach, previously working in the Bundesliga, not only removed the threat of relegation to the Segunda but also turned his new side into contenders for European spots by spring, competing with teams like Deportivo Alavés. At the same time, in the Copa del Rey, after beating everyone — including Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals (two 1–0 wins) — the San Sebastián side reached the final.
Since 2020, “Txuri-urdin” have won only once — notably in the cup. In this La Liga campaign, the Madrid side have taken 4 points out of 6 against them. The nominal hosts are stronger and more experienced. They should secure a win in regular time.
Prediction for the match: Atletico Madrid to win.
