Copa del Rey: Can Barcelona Stage an Epic Comeback Against Atletico's 4-Goal Lead?
Synopsis
Barcelona faces a daunting task in the Copa del Rey as they strive to overturn a significant 4-0 deficit against Atletico Madrid. With key players back in form, can they pull off a miraculous comeback?
Key Takeaways
FC Barcelona is attempting to recover from a 4-0 deficit .
Key players like Raphinha and Pedri are back for Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid dominated the first leg with a strong performance.
Barcelona's recent win over Villarreal boosts their confidence.
The second leg promises high stakes and intense competition.
Madrid, March 2 (NationPress) FC Barcelona faces a daunting challenge on Tuesday as they prepare to meet Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal, attempting to overturn a 4-0 deficit from the first leg.
Atletico thoroughly dominated Barcelona in their initial encounter, as Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman exploited gaps in the high defensive line, creating numerous opportunities in the first half that left Hansi Flick's squad stunned.
Fast forward three weeks, Barcelona has made significant strides, with Raphinha back to full fitness, Lamine Yamal returning to form, and midfielder Pedri recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him during the match at the Metropolitano Stadium.
"In the locker room, the players believe that if anyone can turn around a 4-0 deficit, it’s us," Pedri remarked in a Monday interview with Spanish state television, RTVE.
"We’ve come back from being 2-0 down this season in just 20 minutes, so with 90 minutes at our disposal, let’s see if we can do the same with four goals," he added.
Barcelona will draw confidence from their impressive 4-1 victory over Villarreal last Saturday, where Lamine Yamal’s hat-trick, alongside contributions from Pedri and Marc Bernal in midfield, shone through.
However, they will miss Frenkie de Jong, who suffered a hamstring tear last week, and Robert Lewandowski, who is sidelined due to a fractured eye socket incurred against Villarreal. On the positive side, Marcus Rashford will return after a substitute appearance on Saturday.
Atletico’s coach, Diego Simeone, opted to rest several key players during the weekend, with defenders David Hancko, Marc Pubill, and Matteo Ruggeri on the bench for their narrow 1-0 win in Oviedo. Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente, and Koke will all feature in the starting lineup on Tuesday night.
Last season, the first leg between these two teams ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw in Montjuic. This time, Atletico will be looking for a single counterattack that could leave the reigning Cup holders facing an insurmountable challenge.
In the other semifinal, Real Sociedad holds a 1-0 lead going into their home match against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night.
Point of View
The stakes couldn't be higher. Barcelona's pursuit of redemption is fraught with challenges, yet their resilience and determination could lead to a historic comeback. The narrative of the match promises to be captivating, as both teams bring their unique strengths to this intense rivalry.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current score in the Copa del Rey semifinal?
Atletico Madrid leads FC Barcelona 4-0 from the first leg of the semifinal.
Who are the key players for Barcelona in this match?
Key players for Barcelona include Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri, who are all returning to form.
What happened in the first leg of the semifinal?
Atletico Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg, with standout performances from Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman.
When is the second leg of the semifinal scheduled?
The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
What is the significance of this match for both teams?
This match is crucial for Barcelona as they attempt to overturn a large deficit, while Atletico aims to defend their lead and secure a spot in the final.
