Barcelona meet Atlético Madrid on Thursday in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi and will aim to take a meaningful advantage back home ahead of the return. To reach the final, Barça must get past the toughest remaining side in the final four, and Diego Simeone’s team arrive in solid form. While Atlético lost their most recent match, days earlier they hammered the same opponent, Real Betis, 5-0 and looked at their attacking best that night, so Barca cannot afford to be complacent.
First, they must finish chances. Under Hansi Flick the attacking personnel consistently create opportunities; recent matches have produced high xG numbers and the team has been generating good chances. The issue for Barcelona has been putting those chances away — the squad has struggled with finishing as a whole. Against a defensively well-drilled unit like Atlético, every created chance is precious and must be converted, since each goal will improve Barcelona’s aggregate position and increase the probability of progressing.
Second, they need to curb Alexander Sorloth’s physical threat. Atlético boast several attacking options — Ademola Lookman, Julián Álvarez and Sorloth among them — and Sorloth in particular has often troubled Barcelona due to his aerial dominance and physical play. The Norwegian already has seven league goals this season, and Barcelona are a frequent target for him. How Flick plans to add physicality to the back line and nullify Sorloth’s presence will be critical; Ronald Araújo has been mentioned as one option to handle that challenge.
Third, the Blaugrana must step up defensive work on the flanks. The center-back duo of Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsi has looked relatively stable recently and represents the best pairing Flick has deployed this season: they have managed the offside line well, shown good coordination and possess solid ball-playing ability. Despite that, the team’s wide defensive channels have been vulnerable, with most attacks coming down the periphery. Alejandro Balde has been outstanding going forward lately, but his advanced positioning leaves space behind for opponents to exploit. With Giuliano Simeone expected to operate on that flank on Thursday, Balde’s defensive contribution will be more important than ever.
Then there is the Jules Koundé question: the defender has often looked a shadow of his best this season with sluggish movement, poor reading of play and occasionally sloppy distribution. He will likely face the dynamic Lookman and must raise his level considerably. How the full‑backs defend and shut down peripheral channels will be pivotal in deciding Thursday’s result, especially given Atlético’s reliance on their wingers.
In short, Barcelona need to keep creating chances and, crucially, start converting them; prevent Sorloth from winning aerial and physical duels; and shore up flank defending through disciplined full‑back play and improved individual performances from players like Koundé. Doing these three things would markedly increase their chances of advancing to the final.
