Although all the other remaining teams in the Copa del Rey are from La Liga, Barcelona could have been forgiven for being confident of winning the title. The Blaugrana are the defending champions, and need to overcome only two more teams – the semi-finalist and finalist – to lift the title once more.
However, Luis Enrique’s boys were handed the worst possible draw in the last four. With Celta Vigo, Deportivo Alaves, and Atletico Madrid the three remaining teams; the Catalan giants were paired against Diego Simeone’s side.
Barcelona got Atletico, Celta drew Alaves in the Copa del Rey semis
#SorteoCopa 1/2 @Atleti @FCBarcelona_es pic.twitter.com/ib1xkIAR37
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) January 27, 2017
Wednesday, Feb 1: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
Thursday, Feb 2: Celta de Vigo vs Deportivo Alavés
Tuesday, Feb 7: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Wednesday, Feb 8: Deportivo Alavés vs Celta de Vigo
After beating Real Sociedad in the quarter-final, Messi and Co. will face another team from the Spanish Primera Division top six. Los Rojiblancos are the worst opponents for Barcelona at this stage.
From the other three remaining Copa del Rey participants, Atletico Madrid are the only ones with history in this competition. They have lifted the trophy 10 times before, and made it into the last 4 after beating Eibar.
Barcelona are the tournament’s most successful club, having won it 28 times. Should the Blaugrana beat Griezmann and Co. to make the final, the Catalan giants will have a golden opportunity at winning the Copa del Rey for a third straight season.
The first leg will see Enrique’s boys make the trip to the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Camp Nou will then host Simeone’s side in the return fixture.
