The Copa del Rey semi-final scores between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are finally balanced. However, the latest La Liga match scheduling greatly favors Atletico Madrid. Los Colchoneros will enjoy an extra day of rest and also play the second leg at home. Here’s why Atletico Madrid might have more chances to advance to the CDR final than Barcelona, after this new scheduling.
La Liga’s Fixture Schedule: How it Gives Atletico Madrid the Upper Hand
The La Liga scheduling for matchday 29 is certainly not ideal for the Catalans. La Liga has decided to have Barca play Girona on Sunday, March 30, while Atletico faces Espanyol a day earlier, on Saturday, March 29. Was this a calculated or intentional move by La Liga? Because 24 hours of extra rest before the high-stakes semi-final might be a game changer.
The first leg ended in a 4-4 draw, and the game showed us that the second leg would be even more physical. The Atletico defense is not going to let Barca breathe in the hostile Wanda Metropolitano, and things look grim. We’ve got to hand it to La Liga, though. The league never fails to put Barca in trouble, and it’s frustrating to watch as a culer.
Why Barcelona’s Catalan Derby Could Cost Them the Copa del Rey
The derby against Girona will also not be a walk in the park. Although it will be at Montjuic, the game promises to be physical and draining for the Catalans. Every point counts in La Liga at this crucial stage, and the derby might be a brutal encounter before the big Copa del Rey semi-final.
Fatigue could be the deciding factor in the already-tied leg. Flick must plan to ensure his squad is mentally and physically ready. While Simone’s men will get an extra day of rest and preparation, Flick will need to implement smart substitutions against Girona and try to kill the game early so the game doesn’t drain key players.
Here’s How Atletico Madrid Could Exploit Barcelona’s Exhaustion
As we have seen earlier this season, Diego Simeone masters exploiting small advantages and favors from small mistakes. This situation is perfect for him. His team massively depends on physicality, and even a tiny tweak or misstep can be punished on the counter.
Simeone’s Atleti has the tools to make Barca pay. Sorlorth and Julian Alvarez have been very clinical, while de Paul and Griezmann are the actual engines of Simeone’s team. These guys will run relentlessly up and down the pitch and grind results.
The challenge for Flick is immense, but now is the time to prove this team is different from the past teams. The scales are tipped in favor of Atletico, but this is the time to make a statement to the world and show why this Barcelona team is special.