Barcelona Eliminate Atletico, Setting Up a Clasico Copa del Rey Final
Barcelona is set to face their rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after a 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, winning 5-4 on aggregate in the semi-final tie. The record 31-time winners, Barcelona, dominated the encounter...
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Barcelona is set to face their rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after a 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, winning 5-4 on aggregate in the semi-final tie.
The record 31-time winners, Barcelona, dominated the encounter at the Metropolitano Stadium following a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg. This defeat leaves Diego Simeone's Atletico with little to strive for as the season draws to a close.
In contrast, the Catalan side is pursuing a potential quadruple, remaining unbeaten in 2025 and extending their streak to 21 matches without a loss.
Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal for Barcelona, connecting with a well-placed pass from teenage winger Lamine Yamal, finishing clinically. Torres has seen increased playing time due to his recent strong performances.
Atletico was the last team to beat Barcelona, a victory just before Christmas that propelled them to the top of La Liga. Now, however, they find themselves trailing Hansi Flick's team by nine points with just nine matches left to play.
"We can't relax, we have to keep believing and working, with humility and I'm sure good things will come," said Torres. "If a final is already a huge motivation, imagine playing against your most direct rival."
Flick noted, "We played really bravely here, it was not easy, especially in the second half. It is not done, we're fighting, we're trying everything to win titles and we're in a good way; the team is doing great."
After being eliminated from the Champions League on penalties by rivals Real Madrid in the last 16, the Copa del Rey represented Atletico's most viable chance for silverware this season.
"We have to thank the fans who supported us; we're as sad as them," said Atletico defender Jose Gimenez. "We have to lift our heads, finish the season in the best way possible and carry on. We have to accept the reality, with rational thinking and knowing we're a long way off, but we'll try until the end."
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
The record 31-time winners, Barcelona, dominated the encounter at the Metropolitano Stadium following a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg. This defeat leaves Diego Simeone's Atletico with little to strive for as the season draws to a close.
In contrast, the Catalan side is pursuing a potential quadruple, remaining unbeaten in 2025 and extending their streak to 21 matches without a loss.
Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal for Barcelona, connecting with a well-placed pass from teenage winger Lamine Yamal, finishing clinically. Torres has seen increased playing time due to his recent strong performances.
Atletico was the last team to beat Barcelona, a victory just before Christmas that propelled them to the top of La Liga. Now, however, they find themselves trailing Hansi Flick's team by nine points with just nine matches left to play.
"We can't relax, we have to keep believing and working, with humility and I'm sure good things will come," said Torres. "If a final is already a huge motivation, imagine playing against your most direct rival."
Flick noted, "We played really bravely here, it was not easy, especially in the second half. It is not done, we're fighting, we're trying everything to win titles and we're in a good way; the team is doing great."
After being eliminated from the Champions League on penalties by rivals Real Madrid in the last 16, the Copa del Rey represented Atletico's most viable chance for silverware this season.
"We have to thank the fans who supported us; we're as sad as them," said Atletico defender Jose Gimenez. "We have to lift our heads, finish the season in the best way possible and carry on. We have to accept the reality, with rational thinking and knowing we're a long way off, but we'll try until the end."
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
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