Barcelona needs to overturn a four-goal deficit in the Copa del Rey semi-final. The Catalan team hosts Atlético from Madrid this Tuesday at Camp Nou. Injuries and suspensions of important players force changes in the Hansi Flick team.
The 4-0 victory in the first game gave Atlético the advantage. Barcelona is looking to qualify for the final with the support of the fans at home.
The German coach works with the confirmed absences and defines the formation for the decisive clash.
Injuries confirmed in the Barcelona cast
Center forward Robert Lewandowski suffered a fracture in the orbit of his left eye during the match against Villarreal. Ele undergoes a medical evaluation and will not travel to the second leg.
Frenkie from Jong remains out due to a thigh muscle injury. The midfielder does not recover in time and is missing from the team at this stage of the competition.
Forced changes to the Catalan defense
Eric García serves automatic suspension after expulsion in the first match. The defender is left out of the confrontation in Camp Nou.
Andreas Christensen is also injured and will not participate in the semi-final. Gerard Martín enters the defense alongside Pau Cubarsí to form the defensive line.
Return of Pedri and Yamal highlighted
Pedri returns to the starting lineup after a long period of recovery. The midfielder starts the match alongside Dani Olmo in the central sector.
Lamine Yamal arrives motivated after scoring the first hat-trick of his professional career. The young striker occupies the right wing in the formation chosen by Flick.
Fermín López appears as a creative option in midfield. Raphinha returns to the left wing and completes the offensive trio with Ferran Torres as a center forward.
Joan García remains the starting goalkeeper in the defined scheme.
Tactical formation expected for the confrontation
The team must enter the field with Joan García in goal. Jules Koundé plays on the right side while Alejandro Balde covers the left side.
Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín form the defense duo. The midfield has Pedri and Dani Olmo in the first creation line.
In attack, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, and Raphinha support Ferran Torres. The 4-2-3-1 formation prioritizes balance given the need to score goals.
The team seeks to exploit the good moment at home where they have accumulated ten consecutive victories since returning to Camp Nou.
Context of the game back in Copa del Rey
Barcelona defends the competition title and needs a historic reaction. The Catalan team has had a good recent performance at home.
Atlético of Madrid arrives with the advantage built in the first game. The Spanish team maintains its defensive solidity and counts on the support of the group to secure the result.
Hansi Flick demands collective commitment from the players. The coach highlights the importance of each available athlete to overcome absences.
Key player availability details
Gavi returns to training after six months away due to a serious injury. The midfielder still does not have ideal physical conditions and should remain as an option on the bench.
Ronald Araújo appears as an alternative in defense if necessary. The Uruguayan has few recent matches but could enter during the game.
Ferran Torres leads the attack in the absence of Lewandowski. The attacker seeks to improve his recent performance to help in the search for a comeback.
The technical committee monitors the physical condition of all athletes until the moment of the match.
Current status of Atlético of Madrid
The visiting team has no major injuries for this semi-final. The squad has a complete group and remains focused on defending the advantage.
Diego Simeone prepares the team for a close game away from home. Atlético values tactical organization and quick transitions in counterattacks.
The 4-0 victory in the first game serves as extra motivation for the group. The Spanish coach relies on the players’ experience to control the pace at Camp Nou.
- Robert Lewandowski is out due to a fractured left eye socket.
- Frenkie from Jong remains injured in his thigh.
- Eric García serves automatic suspension.
- Andreas Christensen doesn’t recover in time.
- Gavi remains a doubt due to physical transition.
Barcelona works to exploit the home advantage and reverse the aggregate score. The set lineup reflects the options currently available.
The duel decides one of the finalists of Copa del Rey. The teams are preparing for an intense game with total focus on classification.
