Atletico Madrid have reached the Copa del Rey final after a thirteen-year absence, despite a heavy 0-3 defeat in the second leg against FC Barcelona. The decisive factor was the substantial lead from the first leg, which allowed Diego Simeone's men to weather the storm at Camp Nou. Meanwhile, in Italy, newly-promoted Como caused a surprise by drawing 0-0 with Inter Milan in the first leg of the domestic cup semi-final, promising an exciting return match.

Atletico Withstood Barcelona's Onslaught

Despite a 0-3 defeat in the second leg, the Madrid side advanced to the final thanks to a substantial lead from the first leg at home.

Historic Success for Como in Italy

The Serie A newcomers drew 0-0 with Inter Milan in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final, keeping their chances of advancement alive.

Basque Derby for the Second Final Spot

Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao will face off in the return leg in San Sebastian; the team from Bilbao remains the favorite.

A dramatic evening in the Catalan capital ended with Atletico Madrid advancing to the grand final of the Copa del Rey. Although FC Barcelona dominated the second leg, winning 3-0, the Roman proverb about a „victorious defeat” perfectly captures the visitors' situation. Coach Diego Simeone, despite the heavy loss, did not hide his pride in his players' performance, emphasizing that surviving a siege on their goal in the dying minutes is part of the club's identity. The hero for Madrid was goalkeeper Juan Musso, whose save in the final minutes spared the team extra time. Raphinha and Deco from Barcelona expressed faith in the project's future, noting that if the team maintains the level of play shown in the second leg, trophies will soon return to Camp Nou. Atletico Madrid had been waiting for a domestic cup final since 2013, when they defeated Real Madrid. This is one of the longest gaps in competing for this trophy in the club's modern history. Sporting emotions intertwined with a media provocation, authored by Antoine Griezmann. The French striker, alluding to past tensions with his former club, posted a message on social media that instantly became a viral hit. Meanwhile, Atletico's management has already begun the process of distributing tickets for the final, introducing strict criteria based on membership seniority to prevent ticket speculation. The financial aspect of the advancement is also significant – the club is guaranteed a bonus of several million euros and participation in the lucrative Spanish Super Cup tournament, which will significantly bolster the budget ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The Italian Cup, known as the Coppa Italia, is a competition dominated in recent years by Juventus and Inter, so the presence of a newly-promoted team in the semi-final is considered a historic sensation. On the Apennine Peninsula, sensational Como managed a goalless draw with the giant, Inter Milan, in the first semi-final clash of the Coppa Italia. The match, played at a slow pace, showcased the defensive solidity of the hosts, who look optimistically towards the return leg in Milan. Another point of media interest is the upcoming Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. This clash will not only determine the second finalist of the Copa del Rey but may also bring the rare sight of two top Spanish national team goalkeepers sitting on the substitutes' bench simultaneously, a result of specific squad rotations by both coaches. „¿Esta foto va muy dura?” (Is this photo too hard?) — Antoine Griezmann „Cuando íbamos 3-0 dije: „esto es el Atleti”” (When we were 3-0 down I said: „this is Atleti”) — Diego Simeone

Mentioned People

  • Diego Simeone — Atletico Madrid coach, who emphasized the importance of suffering on the pitch in the context of reaching the final.
  • Antoine Griezmann — Atletico Madrid star, author of a provocative social media post directed at Barcelona.
  • Juan Musso — Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, whose excellent interventions decided the team's advancement.