Sat Apr 05 17:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Atlético Madrid Faces Must-Win Copa del Rey Clash After Disastrous March
**MADRID** – Atlético Madrid’s hopes for silverware this season rest solely on Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona. A difficult March, which saw them eliminated from the Champions League and fall significantly behind in the La Liga title race, has left Diego Simeone’s side with only the cup competition to fight for.
The team’s Champions League exit, following a penalty shootout loss to Real Madrid, proved particularly devastating. Simeone admitted to a difficult period, even traveling to Argentina to regain his composure. Their La Liga hopes also dimmed with a 4-1 defeat to Barcelona and a subsequent draw against Espanyol, leaving them nine points behind the league leaders.
In contrast, Barcelona arrives in the capital brimming with confidence after recent victories over Osasuna and Girona. Robert Lewandowski’s prolific goalscoring form (38 goals in all competitions) will be a major threat to Atlético.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid aims to secure their Copa del Rey semi-final progression against Real Sociedad on Tuesday. Despite an inconsistent La Liga season and Europa League elimination, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will rely on the in-form Kylian Mbappé (33 goals this season, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-season record for the club). Real Sociedad, however, will be looking to repeat past Copa del Rey upsets at the Bernabéu.
Both semi-final second legs are scheduled for 7:30 PM GMT. For Atlético, it’s a battle to salvage their season; for Real Madrid, it’s a chance to secure a place in the final and maintain momentum.
First Piper 