MATCH REPORT | Barcelona win a tough battle to reach the grand final (0-1)
The Catalans overcame Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano thanks to a lone first half goal from Ferran Torres.
Following the thrilling semi-final first leg that Barcelona and Atlético Madrid served up for all to enjoy last time out, with the score ending 4-4, both sides met again at the Estadio Metropolitano with no less than a place in the grand final of the Copa del Rey Mapfre at stake.
The match began with both teams trying to establish their own rhythm of play. Atlético de Madrid sought to remain solid against Barcelona’s attacking threat. In the early stages, César Azpilicueta committed a heavy challenge on Raphinha, which the referee had to review on the VAR screen for a potential red card for dangerous play, ultimately resulting in just a yellow card for the Atlético defender.
Despite the intensity shown by the home team, Barcelona gradually took control of possession, and it wasn’t long before the first goal arrived. A brilliant pass between the lines from Lamine Yamal put Ferran Torres one-on-one with Musso, and the Valencian forward made no mistake. With a delicate touch, he slotted past the opposition keeper, netting his fifth goal in this season’s Copa del Rey Mapfre.
The away side enjoyed further chances and managed to gain even more possession throughout the rest of the first 45 minutes. However, the scoreline remained unchanged, and half-time arrived with the 0-1 on the scoreboard at the Estadio Metropolitano.
After the break, Diego Simeone made changes to Atlético de Madrid’s line-up in search of a comeback. The Argentine manager introduced three substitutes that completely transformed his team’s attitude and performance. The Rojiblancos pressed Barcelona’s possession play with greater intensity and created numerous opportunities to equalise.
Atlético eventually became the dominant force in the second half as it entered its final stretch. Cheered on by their home fans, they continued to push forward, playing some fine football and putting pressure on the Barcelona defence for large periods of the second half. Nevertheless, Barça managed the game well to protect their victory, secured by Ferran’s first-half goal, and confirmed their place in the grand final at La Cartuja. There, they will face Real Madrid on 26 April, with the Copa del Rey Mapfre up for grabs
WATCH THE POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE WITH SIMEONE AND FLICK
MATCH INFORMATION
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (0): Muso (P), Giménez, Le Normand, Azpiliqueta (Lenglet, 46'), Reinildo (Galán, 46'), Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Giuliano (Sorloth, 46'), Griezmann (Riquelme, 81'), Julián Álvarez. Substitutes: Oblak (P), Gallagher, Koke, Sorloth, Lemar, Lino, Lenglet, Molina, Riquelme, Witsel, Galán. |
Coach: Diego Simeone. |
FC BARCELONA (1): Szczęsny (P), Koundé, Cubarsí (Eric, 58'), Íñigo Martínez, Balde, De Jong, Pedri, Fermín (Araújo, 58'), Lamine Yamal (Gerard Martín, 86'), Raphinha, Ferran (Lewandowski, 74'). Substitutes: Iñaki Peña (P), Kochen (P), Araújo, Gavi, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Pablo Torre, Pau Víctor, Eric, Fort, Gerard Martín. |
Coach: Hansi Flick. |
GOALS: 0-1 Ferran Torres (27'). |
REFEREE: José Luis Munuera Montero. Assistant referees: Íñigo Prieto López de Ceraín y Antonio Ramón Martínez Moreno. Fourth official: Manuel Camacho Garrote. VAR: Juan Martínez Munuera. AVAR: Diego Barbero Sevilla. |
STADIUM: Second leg of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE semi-finals at the Estadio Metropolitano. |
More related news
Ferran Torres already knows what it means to taste success in the Copa del Rey, and with his goal at the Metropolitano, he sent the Catalans to the grand final at La Cartuja.