Match Pack: Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club (Copa Semi-final 1st leg)

Athletic Club have reached the Copa semi-finals for a fifth consecutive season. This year we will take on Atlético Madrid over two legs.

The first leg will be staged at Metropolitano, while the return fixture is scheduled for February 29 at San Mames.

The Madrid-based outfit are neck and neck with Los Leones in LaLiga, sitting in fourth place, just one position and three points above Athletic.

Match Info
Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club

Civitas Metropolitano, Madrid

Copa del Rey 2023/24 (Semi-final first leg)

Wednesday February 7, 21:30 CET

Global kick-off times

Team News
Valverde has named a 25-man squad for the clash in Madrid.

Valverde's Comments
Catch-up with with what Ernesto had to say at his pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Copa 2023/24: Los Colchoneros received a bye due to playing in this season's Spanish Super Cup and went straight in to the third round where they defeated CD Lugo 1-3.

In the round of 16, Simeone's side defeated rivals Real Madrid 4-2 at the Metropolitano, with Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo Riquelme scoring in extra-time.

A Memphis Depay strike in the 79th minute saw Atlético overcome Sevilla FC in their quarter-final tie in Madrid.

Previous Meetings
The two sides have met 28 times in the Copa del Rey: 25 knockout fixtures (all over two legs, plus a futher replay in 1943/44) and three finals.

Our first Copa meeting with Atlético was the 1920/21 final, which Athletic won 4-1 at San Mames. The second final we won 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in 1956, and the third was a 1-2 loss at the same venue in 1985.

From the 12 away legs we've played against Los Colchoneros, Athletic have recorded five victories, one draw and six losses.

*Both teams together after the 1921 final. Photo belongs to AC Museoa.