Atlético Madrid host Barcelona in the Copa del Rey on Thursday 12 February in a tie that pits Diego Simeone’s side against Hansi Flick’s Barcelona. The match is at the Metropolitano, with the visitors in strong domestic and European form and the hosts looking to bounce back from a home league defeat. Both are used to deep cup runs, and a place in the next round is at stake with Barcelona likely to be seen as the slight favourite given recent results and firepower.
Atlético’s last five games are mixed. They lost 0–1 at home to Real Betis in LaLiga on 8 February despite having most of the ball and more shots, then beat the same opponent 0–5 away in the Copa on 5 February. Before that they drew 0–0 at Levante in the league, lost 1–2 at home to Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League, and beat Mallorca 3–0 at home in LaLiga. The Betis league loss at the Metropolitano stands out as a setback after the big cup win against the same team days earlier.
Barcelona’s last five are all wins. They beat Mallorca 3–0 at home on 7 February with heavy possession and a comfortable margin, won 1–2 at Albacete in the Copa on 3 February, then won 1–3 at Elche and 4–1 at home to FC København in the Champions League, and 3–0 at home to Real Oviedo in LaLiga. The Mallorca victory continued a run of dominant home performances and kept momentum going into this cup tie.
In recent head-to-heads, the balance has favoured Barcelona. Last season they met in the Copa semi-finals: 4–4 in Barcelona and 0–1 in Madrid, with Barcelona going through. In the league, Barcelona won 2–4 at the Metropolitano and lost 1–2 at home. Over the long run, Barcelona have won more of the meetings between the two, so Thursday adds another chapter to a fixture that often produces goals and tight ties.