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| Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey 2016/2017 semi-final Match Preview | Image: FCB |
FC Barcelona continue their quest for a third consecutive Copa del Rey crown when they pay a visit to the country's capital to take on fiery foes Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their 2016/2017 Spanish Cup semi-final clash at the Vicente Calderon.
Barcelona have seen a huge number of success in this competition of recent, they're the tournament's record winner and have won each of the last two editions. Now, a familiar enemy in Atléti stand in their way to secure a third title in as many years.
Diego Simeone's men are not having a very good season, failing to win either of their last three games and are fourth in La Liga, six points behind Barça and Sevilla and 10 behind leaders Real Madrid. But this fixture doesn't respect the form of any of the teams and Atléti will come into the game knowing they have zero margin for errors.
Barça are going through a bitter-sweet campaign, recently saw their five game winning streak brought to an end by Real Betis in the league. The Champions have done well in both the Spanish Cup and UEFA Champions League with their recent victory over Real Sociedad an impressive one, they come into this game knowing getting a good result will put them one foot into the final.
TEAM NEWS
FC Barcelona are still without the injured talks manic midfield duo of Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta who are both out through injuries and this is a big blow for the visitors as both players are very important to the team.
Left back Lucas Digne also missed out after picking a knock during the game against Real Betis on Sunday. However, there is some good news in the camp as Midfielder Rafinha Alcántara has been declared fit and he featured in Luis Enrique's 18-man squad for the game.
Jasper Cillessen is set to start in goal after first choice goalie Marc-André Ter Stegen has been given a rest, allowing the Cup goalkeeper to continue his duty.
For the hosts there are not many injury problems as they will only be missing Gimenez who has a thigh problem, and of course Jan Oblak who's been out for a long time.
ATLETICO MADRID VS BARCELONA – COPA
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Time: 9:00pm CET
Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderon
Referee: De Burgos Bengoetxea
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Barcelona
Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona
Atletico Madrid 0-1 Barcelona
FORM GUIDE
Atletico Madrid: LWWDDD
Barcelona: WWWWWD
Predicted Atletico Madrid Lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Stefan Savic, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis; Saul Niguez, Koke, Gabi, Nico Gaitan; Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro
Predicted Barcelona Lineup: Jasper Cillessen; Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba; André Gomes, Javier Mascherano, Denis Suarez; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar
BarcaLens Prediction: Will be a tough one.. A close game that will be decided by mistakes.. Both teams will be cautious, a draw.. 1-1
