Atlético Madrid – Barcelona: revenge in sight 
Thursday night the Riyadh Air Metropolitano hosts a Copa del Rey semi that promises fireworks. Atlético meet Barcelona at a stage that left a bad taste last season. This time the aim’s obvious: don’t let history repeat itself. Barcelona arrive confident, hungry and juggling several fronts.
Atlético Madrid: pride as fuel 
The scar is still there. Last year Barcelona knocked them out in a cracking semi, and that memory still stings in Simeone’s dressing room.
But the run to this point sent a message. The big win over Betis in the quarters showed what this side can do when they’re loose. Intensity, quick transitions, ruthless in front of goal — it all clicked.
Consistency? That’s the real issue. In the league Atlético flip between high and flat. A solid win is often followed by a limp performance. The recent La Liga loss halted momentum and reminded everyone the margin for error is tiny.
With a big gap to the top, the cup has taken on extra importance. At home, in a knockout, Atlético know how to lift. The Metropolitano can turn suffocating — especially against a direct rival.
Barcelona: full of confidence 
Barcelona arrive in form. Results keep coming, the football flows, and their attack is firing. Hansi Flick has found a balance that lets his team control tempo and stomp on the gas when needed.
The controlled win over Mallorca was another example. Different scorers, a solid back line, and a quiet sense of superiority. They score plenty, concede little, and impose their rhythm.
Already with silverware this season, still alive in the Champions League and sitting top of La Liga, Barcelona go into this semi with big ambitions. A treble isn’t just a pipe dream.
Recent head-to-heads also tilt their way — three straight wins gives them a psychological edge. But a semi in Madrid is never just a stat.
Probable lineups
Atlético Madrid :
Oblak ; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri ; Simeone, Mendoza, Koke, Baena ; Griezmann, Lookman
Barcelona :
Garcia ; Martin, Garcia, Araujo, Cancelo ; Bernal, Olmo, Lopez ; Rashford, Torres, Yamal
Football Prediction Atlético Madrid vs FC Barcelona
Atlético Madrid or draw
On form alone Barcelona look marginally ahead. But a one-leg semi in Madrid follows different rules. Atlético know how to close spaces, slow things down and turn a tie on a single moment.
In a tense atmosphere, the grit could blunt Barcelona’s fluency. The Madrid side have the tools to hang on and keep everything alive for the second leg.
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