"With all due respect to the other two semi-finalists in Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, who are huge clubs with amazing fanbases and really talented players, this is the real final of this season's Spanish Cup. Both Barça and Atlético would be considered favorites on a neutral site against either of the Basque giants, so these two battles between the Blaugrana and the Rojiblancos will pretty much decide the entire tournament."
"These two teams were in the Spanish Super Cup and benefitted from the new rules of the Copa del Rey that make sure the four clubs that played in the Supercopa would always draw the lowest remaining seeds in the first three rounds, which is why Barça will face a La Liga team for the first time while Atleti had to wait until the quarter-finals to meet a fellow top-flight side Real Betis, a team they destroyed in very impressive fashion last week in Seville."
Barcelona travel to Atlético Madrid for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Metropolitano on February 12, 2026. Barcelona retained top spot in La Liga after a comfortable win over Mallorca and bring five wins in five. Atlético reached the semi-finals after demolishing Real Betis in the quarter-finals but showed mixed form recently. Several Barcelona players are ruled out or doubtful including Gavi, Pedri, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford and Andreas Christensen. Atlético have confirmed absences including Pablo Barrios and doubt over Nico González and Johnny Cardoso. The match will be officiated by Juan Martínez Munuera with VAR Pablo González Fuertes.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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