Barcelona take on the visitors Atletico Madrid in the first leg of Copa del Rey semifinals. The match will be played on Tuesday, February 25th at
Barcelona is having a strong but inconsistent season. "More than a club" finished 2023 without a single trophy, and Joan Laporta had no choice but to part ways with Xavi, opting for a more experienced coach. The decision to appoint Hansi Flick has largely paid off. The highlight of the season so far has been their Supercopa de España triumph—not just securing silverware, but doing so with a dominant victory over Real Madrid. Barcelona also navigated the Champions League group stage successfully, avoiding the additional knockout round in February. In the Copa del Rey, they have impressed as well, crushing both Real Betis and Valencia. However, their La Liga campaign has been far from smooth, as a poor run of form saw them slip to third place. Fortunately, their rivals have also struggled for consistency, and by spring, Barcelona managed to close the gap. Their latest win over Las Palmas keeps them level with Los Blancos and ahead of Los Colchoneros. The recent improvements in defense and midfield balance suggest that Flick is finally getting the best out of his squad.
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Atlético could take some positives from last season—such as another Champions League knockout-stage appearance—but overall, it was far from their best campaign. That’s why Atlético invested heavily in the summer transfer window, while also parting ways with long-serving veterans, including Álvaro Morata. Initially, the revamped squad struggled, leading to the usual speculation about Diego Simeone's future. However, the Argentine responded in style, leading his team on a record-breaking run of 15 consecutive victories. That momentum was halted in January by a shock defeat to Leganés and a draw with Villarreal, which saw Real Madrid take control of the La Liga title race. Since then, Atlético has been chasing their city rivals, holding them to a draw in the February derby. Their most recent match saw them dismantle a rejuvenated Valencia side 3-0. Despite their attacking resurgence, Atlético has shown defensive vulnerabilities in away fixtures, particularly against high-quality opposition.
Barcelona had won five straight meetings before their home defeat to Atlético in December (1-2), which came during their midseason slump. Flick appears to have resolved Barcelona’s key issues, making them a formidable force once again. Back Barça to win at home.
Prediction for the match: Barcelona to win.
