A matchup worthy of the final will knock out Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. Barcelona hosts Atletico on Wednesday in the opening leg, less than two weeks after lionel Messi ended a scoring drought for a 3-1 win in the league. That broke Atletico's streak of six games without losing to the Catalan club from last season, capped by a winner-take-all finale for the league crown at Camp Nou.
Atletico, however, arrives on firm footing after eliminating cup holder and crosstown rival Real Madrid in the round of 16. Atletico coach Diego Simeone said the key to stopping Barca would be beating its defensive pressure. “We are facing the best version of Barcelona,” Simeone said. “I admire how much they have improved once they lose possession. It's key for them to react quickly to stop counterattacks. I won't guess what the result will be, but I know that each minute will be important.”
WHAT CRISISIJ: Barcelona appeared to be on the verge of a breakdown before it last faced Atletico on January 11 following a loss at Real Sociedad, the firing of its sports director, and club president Josep Bartomeu calling for early elections. But since then it has roared to four straight lopsided wins by the combined score of 16-1.
THE BOY IS BACK: Fernando Torres' two goals to seal Atletico's elimination of Real proved that the 30-year-old striker, who once shone as Atletico's brightest rising talent, can make a strong contribution in his second stint at his boyhood club. With his ability to work well in open space, Torres gives Simeone a third option in attack.
V FOR VICTORY: Villarreal hosts Getafe also on Wednesday, with the winner meeting either Barcelona or Atletico in the semifinals. Villarreal has risen into sixth place in the league and has reached the knockout rounds in the Europa league after not losing once in a 15-game span across all competitions.
BRUISED BIlBAO: Bilbao visits Malaga on Wednesday needing another strong performance in the cup with pressure increasing on coach Ernesto Valverde after the Basque side lost four of their last five matches.
SNEAKY SEVIllA: While Spain's top teams get most of the attention, Sevilla is quietly having an excellent campaign. Sevilla visits Espanyol on Thursday to further their Cup ambitions.