The surprise of Cholo Simeone to beat Barça in the Copa del Rey semi-final

Atlético de Madrid is making ready for probably the most necessary occasions of the season, and tonight they are going to face FC Barcelona within the Copa del Rey semi-final. Diego Pablo Simeone has sown doubts among the many predictions by presenting a rehearsed eleven with a number of surprises that would mark the tie. Past the names, it’s placing how the Argentine coach is mixing youth, new additions and expertise to problem the Catalan crew.

The good novelty of this check is the presence of Antoine Griezmann in a extra artistic place, performing as inside alongside Rodrigo Mendoza and accompanied in assault by Ademola Lookman, Julián Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone. This drawing differs from the same old and seeks to generate extra fluidity, mobility and offensive shock towards a Barcelona that additionally arrives with losses and changes in its squad.

Griezmann, the tactical wildcard who can unbalance

In reality, probably the most placing aspect within the examined lineup is Antoine Griezmann, used on the within left. Removed from being a easy striker, Simeone has determined to put the Frenchman in an space that permits him to take part extra within the creation, join with the media and provide a direct hyperlink with the assault. Griezmann has already demonstrated his means to affect key matches on this Cup, with necessary targets and decisive performances in earlier phases, and that’s the reason his excessive stage justifies his contribution to the midfield.

The concept of ​​utilizing Griezmann in that place just isn’t coincidental, as he offers imaginative and prescient, contact and overflow, in addition to expertise to face high-level defenses like Barcelona’s. Their presence nearer to the sport may also free Julián Alvarez and Lookman to obtain in inside areas or in area, producing imbalance and harmful conditions to catch the Blaugrana protection without warning.

Lookman and Mendoza, the brand new spark to make Barça uncomfortable

Ademola Lookman, contemporary after his signing and with a direct impression since arriving in Madrid, shall be one other of the offensive keys. His pace and talent to assault areas is predicted to hassle the Blaugrana defensive position, which normally performs ahead, leaving gaps {that a} quick winger can exploit. For his half, Rodrigo Mendoza additionally receives the boldness of Simeone to start out from the center and join with the ahead.

✅ First sport✅ First objective

Ademola Lookman is already ballin’ at Atlético ✨ pic.twitter.com/UpfIRQKPZE

— B/R Soccer (@brfootball) February 5, 2026

The potential eleven that Simeone has examined mixes expertise, confirmed expertise and youth, though the absence of a number of regulars, corresponding to Pablo Barrios attributable to damage, has compelled Cholo to be extra artistic than traditional, however has additionally opened the door to present prominence to new faces and reconfigure roles in an evening that guarantees to be intense and filled with rhythm on the Metropolitano.