Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid (Copa semi-final 2nd leg)

The time has come. After a long run in the 2023/24 Copa, Athletic Club are just one step away from reaching another final.

The Lions hold a slim advantage over opponents Atlético Madrid thanks to a 0-1 win in the away leg, but Diego Simeone's side are experienced operators on stages such as this.

Nonetheless, Ernesto Valverde's Lions are no strangers to this competition, nor this particular step. Backed by a sold-out San Mames, they look to draw inspiration from all the Athleticzales in Bilbao.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid

San Mames, Bilbao

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

Thursday February 28, 21:30 CET

Global kick-off times

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

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

The Opponents

On 26 April 1903, a group of Basque students living in Madrid formed Athletic Club de Madrid. Sharing their colours with parent club Athletic, the Madrid-based side began wearing the red-and-white stripes on 22 January 1911. This gave rise to the nickname "colchoneros" ('matress makers' in English), due to the kit's similarity to the mattress covers of the time.

With the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, official competitions were suspended and when the war ended, the club became Athletic Aviación de Madrid after merging with Aviación Nacional (The Spanish Air Force). In 1947, the club was renamed as it is known today, Atlético de Madrid.

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 29 times in the Copa del Rey: 26 knockout ties (including this one. 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.

First Leg
Athletic hold a slim advantage over Atlético after winning the away leg 0-1 thanks to an Alex Berenguer penalty.