Barcelona’s recent encounter with Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey semifinal ended in disappointment, with a 4-0 defeat marking one of the most challenging losses in their history against this rival. This scoreline ties with their previous 4-0 failures against Atletico in both the Copa Del Rey in 1989 and La Liga in 1942. This loss brings back memories of the infamous 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich back in August 2020, further highlighting the team’s vulnerability at critical moments.
While the situation isn’t yet dire with a second leg approaching at the Camp Nou on March 3, the match revealed critical areas where Barcelona needs improvement. The absence of Raphinha was significant, hampering their attacking options. Despite trying to regroup in the second half, Barcelona failed to capitalize on their chances or mount a substantial comeback to change the game’s outcome.
Currently, Barcelona leads La Liga by just one point over Real Madrid. However, Raphinha’s ongoing absence from the squad underscores the team’s struggle. The Brazilian player has missed five of the team’s six losses across all competitions this season, raising questions about their depth and reliance on individual performances. Fortunately, Raphinha’s adductor strain isn’t expected to sideline him for long, yet this marks the third time this season that he’s faced time away due to injury.
The team’s defensive lineup, coupled with a high press, has often left them exposed. When the defense falters, any imperfections in the attack become magnified. While Pedri’s presence in midfield can mask some of these issues, the narrow margin at the top of La Liga and a lack of depth following Eric Garcia’s red card mean that tactical adjustments are imperative.
For Atletico Madrid, the standout performance from Ademola Lookman, signed on transfer deadline day, has been noteworthy. With four goal contributions in just three matches, Lookman provides a much-needed boost as Atletico gears up for Champions League knockouts against Club Brugge on February 18. Establishing a strong lead in the Copa Del Rey will enable Diego Simeone to rotate his squad effectively.
Barcelona fans may draw hope from their legendary comeback during La Remontada against Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. In that historic match, they overturned a 4-0 first-leg deficit by winning 6-1 at home, ultimately progressing 6-5 on aggregate. The upcoming return leg at Camp Nou promises to be dramatic, proving that the tie remains very much alive.
