Barcelona secured their place in the Copa del Rey final with a disciplined 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano. The win, which extends their unbeaten run in 2025, sets up an eagerly anticipated El Clásico showdown against Real Madrid in the final.
Hansi Flick’s tactical approach proved decisive as Barcelona prevented Atlético from registering a single shot on target throughout the entire match. The visitors dominated possession and controlled the tempo, with Frenkie de Jong’s purposeful runs consistently unsettling Atlético’s midfield structure.
Ferran Torres continued his impressive form by scoring what proved to be the winning goal, finishing clinically after receiving another exceptional assist from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The goal highlighted Barcelona’s attacking efficiency, though they might regret not extending their advantage during periods of dominance.
Pedri’s technical brilliance in midfield was particularly noteworthy, as his close control and distribution allowed Barcelona to maintain possession even under intense pressure. This ball retention proved crucial in neutralizing Atlético’s counter-attacking threat.
Defensively, Barcelona’s high line was a calculated risk that paid dividends. The center-back pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Iñigo Martínez performed admirably, nullifying the threats posed by Julian Álvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Alexander Sørloth. Even when Ronald Araújo momentarily disrupted the defensive balance, Barcelona’s collective organization remained intact.
The match was marred by numerous yellow cards as both teams engaged in tactical fouls to disrupt their opponents’ rhythm. This physical approach added an extra dimension to Barcelona’s typically fluid style, suggesting Flick has instilled a newfound resilience alongside their traditional technical excellence.
Real Madrid will undoubtedly be wary of facing this Barcelona side in the final. The combination of Barcelona’s possession-based football and their emerging defensive solidity makes them formidable opponents as they pursue their first trophy under Flick’s management.