Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – LIVE

WATCH: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Live

Predicted lineups:

Barcelona (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, I. Cubarsi, Balde — de Jong, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Lewandowski.

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2, right to left): (4-4-2, right to left): Musso (GK) — Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan — Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino — Griezmann, Alvarez.

WATCH: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Live

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid live updates, highlights, and commentary

1 hr 40 mins before kickoff: The last time these sides met on this ground, Barca went 1-0 up and had 19 shots to Atletico’s five but fell victim to a smash-and-grab defeat as Alexander Sorloth netted a stoppage-time winner. Are we in for another Diego Simeone masterclass tonight?

2 hours before kickoff. Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal, first leg. The return clash isn’t until April 2 in Madrid and the two sides will meet in  La Liga amid a three-pronged title race with Real Madrid before then. Just think of all that narrative.

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid kick off time

The Copa del Rey semifinal kicks off in Barcelona at 9:30 p.m. local time.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid lineups, team news

Hansi Flick has nearly a fully healthy squad at his disposal, which will allow him to continue rotating at various positions.

Those positions include centre-back, where Ronaldo Araujo may return to the XI after sitting against Las Palmas, while the likes of Eric Garcia, Inigo Martinez, and sensational youngster Pau Cubarsi are all getting significant time.

Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo are also both in a timeshare at the No. 10 position, while Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Marc Casado all rotate in midfield.

The only injury absentees are Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen, the latter of whom is close to a return but will need more time in training before being cleared to play. There are questions about Lamine Yamal who posted a photo of a bloody foot following the Las Palmas win, but Hansi Flick sounded positive about his ability to participate.

Barcelona predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, Araujo, I. Cubarsi, Balde — de Jong, Pedri — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Lewandowski.

Injured: Ter Stegen (ACL), Christensen (foot), Lamine Yamal (foot, doubt).
Suspended: None.

Diego Simeone will likely give Juan Musso the keys to the goalkeeper position once again in the Copa del Rey as he has throughout the competition this season, allowing 32-year-old Jan Oblak to rest.

Like his Barcelona counterpart, Simeone has deployed some rotation in defense this season, especially at left-back where Cesar Azpilicueta and Javi Galan have both seen time, while Axel Witsel could come into the lineup as well if Simeone opts for a five-back system.

With Pablo Barrios suspended for the upcoming Madrid derby in the Champions League, he could be deployed here to rotate with Marcos Llorente and Conor Gallagher.

The only injury absentee for Atletico Madrid is veteran midfielder Koke who will miss a few weeks after picking up a muscle injury earlier this month.

Atletico Madrid predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Musso (GK) — Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan — Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino — Griezmann, Alvarez.

Injured: Koke (muscle).
Suspended: None.

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions:

Here’s how to watch this Copa del Rey semifinal across selected areas of the world’s major regions: