Cup Kings Collide: Barcelona, Atleti, Athletic and La Real Set for Blockbuster Copa Draw
Four giants with 69 Copa del Rey titles between them await today's pure draw for the semi-finals, with potential for a Basque derby still on the cards.
The cream of Spanish football gathers for today’s Copa del Rey semi-final draw, with Barcelona, Athletic Club, Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid – four proper trophy-laden heavyweights – set to discover their fates in what promises to be an absolute bobby dazzler of a final four.
Trophy Cabinet Bulging
This is no ordinary semi-final lineup. Between them, these four clubs have hoisted the Copa del Rey trophy an astonishing 69 times. We’re talking about the competition’s two most successful clubs ever, plus two others who’ve got the famous cup sitting pretty in their trophy cabinets.
What makes this draw particularly tasty is that it’ll be a pure open draw at 13:00 today, with no seeding or restrictions. The first ball out determines who plays at home in the first leg, the second ball completes that tie, and then the same process for the remaining two clubs.
World Cup Venues Ready
The semi-finals will showcase four of Spain’s finest stadiums, all of which are set to host World Cup matches in 2030:
- Camp Nou (Barcelona)
- San Mamés (Athletic Club)
- Anoeta (Real Sociedad)
- Metropolitano (Atlético Madrid)
The absence of Real Madrid opens up the Supercopa qualification picture too. With Los Blancos out, at least one of Athletic, La Real or Atlético will likely secure a spot in next January’s Supercopa in Asia.
Fascinating Subplots
Barcelona enter as heavy favourites now Madrid are gone, but interestingly, they’ll face their first Primera División opponent in this year’s competition after dispatching lower-league sides Guadalajara, Racing Santander and Albacete. Their renovated Camp Nou should host 62,000 fans for the second leg.
Atlético Madrid are desperate to break their Copa curse – they haven’t reached a final since winning at the Bernabéu in 2013. Simeone’s newly-styled squad has already eliminated Deportivo La Coruña and Atlético Baleares.
Real Sociedad have shown remarkable resilience, having led for just 20 minutes across their 329 minutes of knockout football! The dressing room is buzzing under the ‘Matarazzo effect’ and desperately wants that second leg in front of their own fans.
Athletic Club reach their sixth Copa semi-final in seven seasons, with Nico Williams potentially delaying treatment for his pubic injury to participate. The Spain winger has consulted specialists but wants to be available as one of Valverde’s key weapons.
The potential for a Basque derby remains alive – either in the semis or as a 2020 final rematch. The final venue remains uncertain, as the original April 25th date clashes with Seville’s Fair, forcing the Spanish Federation to seek alternatives.