"Barcelona look for a strong start to the Copa del Rey semi-finals when they face a monster test away to Atlético Madrid in the first leg at the Metropolitano. Barça have had four full days to rest and prepare after a comfortable win over Mallorca at the weekend, and given the stage of the competition and the quality of the opponent, there's no doubt Flick will go with his strongest possible team for this one."
"Ronald Araujo is in contention to start at the back after a strong performance in his first start last week and several good appearances off the bench, but we think the coach will stick with his favorite back four combination as of late with Jules Kounde at right-back, Pau Cubarsí and Eric Garcia at center-back, and Alejandro Balde at left-back."
"Raphinha is expected to miss out once again as he continues to recover from his adductor issue, so Marcus Rashford will retain his spot on the left wing after a strong performance at the weekend. Ferran Torres is expected to start ahead of Robert Lewandowski up front, and the on-fire Lamine Yamal will start again looking to continue his amazing form."
Barcelona have four days' rest after a comfortable win over Mallorca and will likely deploy their strongest possible team for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Atlético Madrid's Metropolitano. Ronald Araujo is in contention but the preferred back four of Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde is expected to start. Frenkie de Jong should return to the pivot after being rested, while Fermín López and Dani Olmo are projected as the attacking midfield duo with Marc Bernal as a cautious alternative. Raphinha remains injured; Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford form the attacking trio in a 4-3-3.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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