Simeone's Semi-Final Shake-up: Mendoza to Start Against Barça
Atlético Madrid prepare to host Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg with key changes as Barrios misses out and January signing Mendoza steps in.
Atleti face a proper test at the Metropolitano as they welcome Barcelona for Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, with Diego Simeone forced into changes after losing midfield maestro Pablo Barrios.
Team News
The gaffer’s been busy in training sorting his starting XI, and it looks like winter signing Mendoza will get the nod in midfield. The former Elche man already started against Betis at the weekend, so he’s getting straight into the thick of it at his new club.
Simeone’s planning to deploy the newcomer alongside a couple of proper Atleti legends in the engine room:
- Griezmann dropping deeper to pull strings
- Captain Koke bringing that veteran savvy
- Mendoza adding fresh legs in Barrios’ absence
Up top, Julián Álvarez looks set to lead the line as the central striker, with Giuliano and Lookman providing width and pace on the flanks. Those two will be crucial in exploiting the spaces Barcelona tend to leave under Hansi Flick’s attacking system – perhaps the Germans’ Achilles heel despite being favorites.
Expected XI
The likely Atlético Madrid lineup based on their final training session:
Musso; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Mendoza, Koke, Griezmann; Giuliano, Julián and Lookman.
The Big Picture
This is just round one of what promises to be a proper battle over two legs. Simeone knows his boys need a result at home before heading to Catalonia for the return fixture. Without Barrios, who’s been absolute mustard this season, they’ll need to find different solutions against a Barça side who’ve had their number recently.
The Rojiblancos will fancy their chances on the counter, though. If Flick’s high defensive line has one weakness, it’s the space in behind – and with Lookman’s pace, that could be right up Atleti’s street.