Two historic sides look to strike first at the Metropolitano
Club Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club de Bilbao meet this Tuesday (21.30, La1 and Movistar) at the Estadio Metropolitano in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Two teams with rich cup histories meet at the Estadio Metropolitano in the first leg of the semi-final to see who qualifies for the final of the Copa del Rey. With 33 cups between them, 23 held by Athletic Club and 10 in Atlético's trophy cabinet, the two teams come together in a two-legged clash for fans to enjoy.
The red and white coliseum will host a Cup tie between Atlético Madrid and Athletic Club for the first time, two teams that have faced each other in thirteen Cup ties and three Cup finals (1921, 1956 and 1985) throughout their history. Interestingly, there is only one precedent so far this century, when the two sides met in the Cup quarter-finals in 2014.
This will be the fourth time that the two teams have met in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Both Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club have proven to be unbeatable when playing in front of their fans in this year's edition of the tournament. Both sides won their last Last 16 matches and quarter-final ties at home to two Primera Division teams: Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC in the case of the Atlético, and Deportivo Alavés and FC Barcelona for the team from Bilbao. In this semi-final 2-legged tie, both will have the opportunity to play in front of their home fans.
Diego Pablo Simeone's team wants to make their strength at home count in order to get a good result in the first leg. The excitement about reaching the cup final could not be higher among the fans, and the red and white team are looking forward to shining at a Cup semi-final seven years after their last appearance at this stage
On the other hand, the 'lions' with Ernesto Valverde at the helm have had some memorable Cup nights at 'la Catedral' in which the connection between the team and the fans has been electric. Athletic Club are looking to lift a very special title that has eluded them for the last four decades, a curious fact considering that the match against Atlético de Madrid will be their fifth consecutive Copa del Rey semi-final.
Alejandro Hernández Hernández will referee the match with Santiago Jaime Latre on VAR in a duel that sees football and history coming together The second leg will be played on Thursday 29 February.