Good evening everybody and welcome to another MARCA in English live blog, this time taking you through the Copa del Rey clash between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the Estadio Metropolitano in Spain's capital.
Following a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg, both teams are eager to secure their place in the final against Real Madrid.Atletico Madrid's season has encountered turbulence, with recent setbacks in both LaLiga and the Champions League and the Copa del Rey now stands as their primary opportunity for silverware this season.
In contrast, Barcelona is enjoying an impressive run under Hansi Flick, boasting a 20-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. Atletico's attacking prowess will heavily rely on Julián Álvarez, who has netted 23 goals this season. His partnership with Antoine Griezmann is expected to be central to Atletico's offensive strategy.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona LIVE
Second Half ends, Atletico Madrid 0, Barcelona 1.
Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Ronald Araujo.
Gerard Martín (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Rodrigo Riquelme (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Gerard Martín (Barcelona).
Attempt missed. José María Giménez (Atletico Madrid) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Nahuel Molina with a cross.
Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ronald Araujo (Barcelona).
Attempt blocked. Raphinha (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alejandro Balde.
Foul by Eric García (Barcelona).
Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Barcelona. Gerard Martín replaces Lamine Yamal.
Raphinha (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid).
Attempt blocked. Javi Galán (Atletico Madrid) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Julián Alvarez.
Attempt saved. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.
Substitution, Atletico Madrid. Rodrigo Riquelme replaces Antoine Griezmann.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by José María Giménez (Atletico Madrid).
Attempt saved. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Raphinha with a cross.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Clément Lenglet.
Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Ronald Araujo.
Foul by Ronald Araujo (Barcelona).
Offside, Barcelona. Robert Lewandowski is caught offside.
Substitution, Barcelona. Robert Lewandowski replaces Ferran Torres.
Offside, Atletico Madrid. Alexander Sørloth is caught offside.
Offside, Atletico Madrid. Antoine Griezmann is caught offside.
Offside, Atletico Madrid. Alexander Sørloth is caught offside.
Alejandro Balde (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Alejandro Balde (Barcelona).
Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Eric García (Barcelona).
Javi Galán (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Alejandro Balde (Barcelona).
Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid).
Foul by Jules Koundé (Barcelona).
Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Ronald Araujo (Barcelona).
Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Eric García (Barcelona).
Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Eric García (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid).
Substitution, Barcelona. Ronald Araujo replaces Fermín López.
Substitution, Barcelona. Eric García replaces Pau Cubarsí.
Substitution, Atletico Madrid. Nahuel Molina replaces Robin Le Normand.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Juan Musso.
Attempt saved. Raphinha (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Fermín López.
Attempt missed. Clément Lenglet (Atletico Madrid) header from very close range following a corner.
Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Frenkie de Jong.
Attempt saved. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raphinha.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Javi Galán (Atletico Madrid).
Attempt missed. Alexander Sørloth (Atletico Madrid) left footed shot from the left side of the box.
Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Alejandro Balde.
Foul by Fermín López (Barcelona).
Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Offside, Atletico Madrid. Alexander Sørloth is caught offside.
Ferran Torres (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by José María Giménez (Atletico Madrid).
Foul by Iñigo Martínez (Barcelona).
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Second Half begins Atletico Madrid 0, Barcelona 1.
First Half ends, Atletico Madrid 0, Barcelona 1.
Foul by Jules Koundé (Barcelona).
Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid).
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Antoine Griezmann.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Reinildo.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Giuliano Simeone.
Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
Foul by Jules Koundé (Barcelona).
Reinildo (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Reinildo (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ferran Torres (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid).
Foul by Jules Koundé (Barcelona).
Foul by Alejandro Balde (Barcelona).
Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid).
Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona).
Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann with a cross following a set piece situation.
Foul by Pedri (Barcelona).
Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Alejandro Balde (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Frenkie de Jong following a corner.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by César Azpilicueta.
Attempt blocked. Raphinha (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Reinildo (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Reinildo (Atletico Madrid).
Attempt missed. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Attempt blocked. Raphinha (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Hand ball by Alejandro Balde (Barcelona).
Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! Atletico Madrid 0, Barcelona 1. Ferran Torres (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Foul by Fermín López (Barcelona).
Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Jules Koundé (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box.
Attempt blocked. Ferran Torres (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Raphinha.
Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Alejandro Balde.
Foul by Iñigo Martínez (Barcelona).
José María Giménez (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid).
Raphinha (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Pedri.
Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Iñigo Martínez.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid).
VAR Checking: Possible Red Card.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Raphinha (Barcelona).
César Azpilicueta (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Raphinha (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by César Azpilicueta (Atletico Madrid).
Foul by Jules Koundé (Barcelona).
Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Reinildo.
First Half begins.
What is at stake tonight
Atlético Madrid is seeking its 20th Copa del Rey final (nine titles). Their last appearance was in 2013, when they won against Real Madrid.
As for Barcelona, they've won the competition 31 times and made the finals on 42 occasions. Their last win came back in 2020/21.
Notes on tonight's lineups
Flick continues to offer Lewandowski rest in the Copa, with Ferran Torres starting in his place. Ferran's numbers speak for themselves and he has been a regular replacement for the Polish striker. Let's see if he keeps his streak going today.
Atletico, meanwhile, goes out more or less with what is expected, except for the center of the backline where Lenglet was expected to start but Le Normand will play.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Possible XIs
Atlético Madrid will be without Angel Correa, who is serving a suspension. Captain Koke is nearing a return from injury but is expected to start on the bench. Defender Robin Le Normand is available after recovering from a head injury. Simeone is likely to field Juan Musso in goal, with a defensive line comprising Cesar Azpilicueta, Jose Maria Gimenez, Clement Lenglet, and Reinildo Mandava. In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul and Pablo Barrios are set to feature, with Marcos Llorente and Samuel Lino on the flanks. Up front, Antoine Griezmann will partner Julian Alvarez.
For Barcelona, Dani Olmo remains sidelined due to injury. However, Hansi Flick has confirmed the returns of Raphinha and Pau Cubarsi, both of whom are expected to start. Wojciech Szczsny will continue in goal, with a backline featuring Jules Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde. The midfield trio of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Gavi will aim to control possession, while the attacking trident of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha will look to penetrate Atletico's defense.
?Atletico Madrid possible starting XI: Musso; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Reinildo; Simeone, Barrios, De Paul, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann
Barcelona possible starting XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski?
Where to watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona?
For football fans eager to catch the Copa del Rey clash between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, the match will be accessible through different channels in the USA and the UK.
In the United States, viewers can tune in to ESPN+, which holds exclusive broadcasting rights for the Copa del Rey matches. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the match will be available on Premier Sports 1.
What time does Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona start?
The eagerly anticipated Copa del Rey match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona is scheduled to kick off at 21:30 CET local time in Spain.
Viewers on the US East Coast can tune in at 15:30 ET for the live action. For those on the West Coast, the match starts at 12:30 PT. Football enthusiasts in the UK can catch the game starting at 20:30 GMT.
Match ends, Atletico Madrid 0, Barcelona 1.