Why Barcelona prefer facing Real Madrid over Atletico Madrid in Copa del Rey – report | OneFootball

Barcelona are already analysing their potential opponents for the Copa del Rey semi-finals, with the official draw set to take place next Wednesday.

According to reports from AS, while opinions within the dressing room may vary, a significant majority of players would prefer to avoid facing Atletico Madrid over Real Madrid.

The preference for steering clear of Diego Simeone’s men stems from several factors. One major reason is Atletico’s strong form and fierce competitiveness this season.

Unlike many other teams, they will not have the distraction of a Champions League play-off, meaning they can approach the first leg of the semi-final fresh and well-prepared.

Another concern for Barcelona is their recent 1-2 defeat against Atletico at Montjuïc. Although the squad believes that loss was unfair, as they felt they dominated the game, the result still lingers in their minds.

Would prefer Real Madrid instead

Barcelona would rather face Real Madrid than Atletico. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Surprisingly, Barcelona’s players appear more open to facing Real Madrid. Their confidence is partly due to their impressive track record against Los Blancos this season, which included emphatic victories of 4-0 and 5-2.

Additionally, Real Madrid are expected to endure a gruelling Champions League tie against Manchester City. This challenging fixture could leave them fatigued, particularly with the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals scheduled shortly afterwards.

Among all the potential opponents, Real Sociedad appears to be the most desired option for Barcelona. While Sociedad beat the Catalan giants in the league, the Blaugrana view them as a less formidable challenge compared to Atletico and Real Madrid.

One crucial factor for Barcelona is securing the second leg at home. Playing the decisive match in front of home supporters would provide them with a strategic advantage, giving them a chance to recover if the first leg does not go as planned.