Atlético Madrid and Barcelona Clash in Copa del Rey Semifinal: Simeone Confident of Reaching the Final
Atlético Madrid faces Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Friday, February 13, 2026. Despite playing at home, Atlético will face a tough challenge against Barcelona.
Simeone’s Unwavering Belief
Diego Simeone, Atlético’s manager, expressed his unwavering confidence in his team’s ability to reach the final. “I always have faith, not just for tomorrow. Faith in everything I do and everything I create,” Simeone stated, as reported by AS.
He emphasized the importance of instilling this belief within the team and the fans. “It is a characteristic that I think we have managed to instill during our time at Atlético. Our fans have always had it. This is the third semifinal we will play. There is no other way to reach the final,” he added.
Team News and Absences
Barcelona will be without Marcus Rashford and Raphinha due to fitness concerns. Yet, Simeone downplayed the significance of Barcelona’s absences, stating he is more focused on addressing the absence of Pablo Barrios within his own squad.
“I don’t think about them. We are without Barrios and I need to focus on what we are going to do, how we are going to start the match and what kind of match we are going to face,” Simeone explained.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record
Recent matches between the two sides have been closely contested. Barcelona defeated Atlético Madrid 3-1 on December 2, 2025, in La Liga. Prior to that, Barcelona won 2-4 against Atlético Madrid on March 16, 2025, also in La Liga. A previous Copa del Rey match on April 2, 2025, saw Barcelona win 0-1. A 4-4 draw occurred on February 25, 2025, in the Copa del Rey, and Atlético Madrid won 1-2 on December 21, 2024, in La Liga.
Key Stats: Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona
According to data from BBC Sport, as of February 12, 2026:
- Goals Scored: Atlético Madrid 9, Barcelona 6
- Goals Conceded: Atlético Madrid 2, Barcelona 12
- Shots: Atlético Madrid 26, Barcelona 39
- Shots on Target: Atlético Madrid 16, Barcelona 22
- Passing Accuracy: Atlético Madrid 87.9%, Barcelona 91.15%
Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake?
This first leg is crucial for both teams as they vie for a spot in the Copa del Rey final. Atlético Madrid will aim to leverage their home advantage, while Barcelona will look to overcome the absence of key players and secure a positive result ahead of the return leg.
FAQ
Q: When and where is the match being played?
A: The match is being played on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Q: Which players are confirmed to be absent?
A: Marcus Rashford and Raphinha are confirmed to be absent for Barcelona, while Pablo Barrios is out for Atlético Madrid.
Q: What did Diego Simeone say about his team’s chances?
A: Simeone expressed his unwavering confidence in Atlético Madrid’s ability to reach the final.
Q: What is the head-to-head record between the two teams?
A: Barcelona has won 39 of their 76 matches against Atlético Madrid, with Atlético winning 19 and 18 draws.
Did you realize? This is Atlético Madrid’s third semifinal appearance in the Copa del Rey.
Stay tuned for live updates and further analysis of the match.
