Atletico Madrid defeated FC Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, in a duel that was played at the Estadio Metropolitano in the Spanish capital. In the first half of the match, the “los colchoneros” scored all the goals, and in the second half, the major events were a goal disallowed for the “blaugrana” team due to offside, respectively, a red card received by Eric Garcia in the final minutes of the game. The “rojiblancos” group gave Hansi Flick the most painful defeat of his coaching career, while the home team equaled a milestone that had been reached in 1942 and 1989.

Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona faced off in the first “episode” of the double-leg that takes place in the semi-finals of the “Copa del Rey”, at the “Estadio Metropolitano”, in a re-edition of the duels that were played a season ago in the same competition. At that time, in the “square of aces” of the domestic competition, the goal scored by Ferran Torres against the club coached by Diego Simeone, at the arena in the Spanish capital, would weigh decisively in the perspective of qualification in the last act. In the current edition of the “Copa del Rey”, “los colchoneros”, most recently, triumphed without problems against Real Betis, with a five-goal difference, while the Catalans had overcome Albacete, a band from the second division, with a final score of 2-1.

Moreover, for the players trained by Hansi Flick, the confrontations that will take place in the company of Atletico Madrid in the penultimate phase of the domestic competition will be the first matches that will be played against a team from the first division in Spain. Diego Simeone could not rely on Pablo Barrios and Johnny Cardoso for this derby, unlike his German counterpart who did not have Andreas Christensen, Pedri, Gavi, Raphinha, but also Marcus Rashford, the English player being injured in the victory recorded by FC Barcelona, ​​at home, against Real Mallorca, in LaLiga.

Before this double-leg of the “Copa del Rey”, Atletico Madrid could boast a total of 10 titles awarded in the domestic competition, but, most recently, the team from the capital of Spain triumphed in 2013, when they would defeat Real Madrid, at the “Bernabeu”. In the opposing camp, the group from the “Camp Nou” had collected, in the showcase, before the starting whistle of the round match of the semi-final of the domestic competition, 32 cups, dominating authoritatively in this chapter. The confrontation in the Capital started abruptly for the “blaugrana” team’s goal, because Giuliano Simeone missed a huge opportunity, after a few minutes of play, sending to Joan Garcia, although he was in an ideal position inside the penalty area.

A monumental blunder committed by the visitors’ goalkeeper, who, at the end of a pass received from Eric Garcia, could not control the ball, led to a ball that exceeded the Catalan goal line, despite the efforts of Joan Garcia and Pau Cubarsi to remove the danger. Ademola Lookman scored from the decisive pass coming from the ice of Julian Alvarez, but replays showed that an own goal had been recorded. A few minutes later, FC Barcelona’s advanced defense was surprised, and Nahuel Molina passed into free space for Antoine Griezmann, the French striker placed the ball for completion and scored with a shot placed, on the ground, at the far corner, to increase the hosts’ advantage in this clash.

The “blaugrana” team passed by the reduction in the difference, at the end of a corner that was executed by Dani Olmo. The ball, after a series of erroneous rejections coming from the Atletico Madrid defense, reached Fermin Lopez, who tried a volley execution, from the turn, but his attempt to score hit the crossbar. The third goal of this match also fell into the Catalans’ goal, shortly after Julian Alvarez was denied a goal on the goal line, Jules Kounde being the protagonist of a miraculous rejection.

Diego Simeone’s men extended their lead on the scoreboard when Giuliano Simeone broke free and passed back to Julian Alvarez. The Argentine forward continued his run down the left side, where he found new signing Ademola Lookman during the winter transfer window. The Nigerian winger didn’t hesitate and fired a wide right-footed shot into the far corner from the first, beating Joan Garcia to make it 3-0 on aggregate. Before the end of the first half, a through ball from Jules Kounde was met by Fermin Lopez, who shot straight at Juan Musso, giving the visitors a corner kick.

Atletico Madrid scored once more before the break, when Nahuel Molina passed for Ademola Lookman, and the African footballer turned the ball over for Julian Alvarez. The reigning world champion took the ball and fired “violently” into the near post, shaking the Catalans’ legs and also managing to score for the first time since December, in all competitions, and since November, in LaLiga. In the second half, the players led by Hansi Flick from the sidelines came out on the field much more prepared, and the first alarm signal was raised by Fermin Lopez, who, after receiving a pass from Alejandro Balde, shot strongly, but Juan Musso intervened and blocked it out of the field.

FC Barcelona had managed to score in this match, in the 52nd minute, when Lamine Yamal passed short to the same Fermin Lopez, and the deflected shot of the Spanish international reached the boot of Pau Cubarsi, who had scored from close range. However, after a check in the VAR booth that lasted more than five minutes, the referees’ committee considered that Robert Lewandowski, who was in an illegal position at that stage, had a decisive influence on the scoring of the goal, so the score remained the same. Towards the end of the match, Eric Garcia committed a reckless foul, and the central referee of the confrontation, after initially giving him a yellow card, decided to reverse the decision and eliminate the visitors’ stopper.

Atletico Madrid missed the chance to record a historic “manita” when Alexander Sorloth, served, in the mouth of the goal by Nahuel Molina, was ultimately blocked by Jules Kounde. At the other goal, Ferran Torres, after a corner taken by Dani Olmo, headed the ball past Juan Musso’s posts. “Los colchoneros” achieved a historic success against the Catalans, the victory being their third recorded by a difference of four goals against FC Barcelona, ​​a feat that had previously been achieved in 1942 and 1989. Also, as a result of this stinging defeat, Hansi Flick suffered the most drastic setback of his professional coaching career.

The return leg of the “Copa del Rey” semi-final will be played on March 3, at the “Camp Nou”, and, until then, in LaLiga, in the coming round, the “rojiblancos” will duel with Rayo Vallecano, in a local derby, while FC Barcelona will travel to Girona to play in another important match in Catalonia.