The calendar forces a five-week wait for the return of Barça-Atlético

The first leg of the 2024/25 Copa del Rey semifinals between FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid (4-4) will be remembered as one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. The 'rojiblancos' broke the initial azulgrana plan with two goals in the first 6 minutes and then salvaged an incredible draw with another pair of goals in the final stretch. Once again, the 'colchoneros' managed to leave Montjuïc alive in a match where they were clearly outplayed by a Barça that shows two very different faces in the areas.

On one hand, the team remains in machine mode, averaging 3.03 goals per game (120 goals scored in 39 matches). In contrast, the defense, while doing a spectacular job with a very high line, ends up conceding more than necessary in parts of the match where they need to maintain greater solidity to hold the results. Amidst all that the spectacular draw on Tuesday left, it will feel like an eternity to wait for the Cup rematch.

The calendar complicates the format of the Copa del Rey

And since the semifinal is the only phase of the tournament that is played over two legs, we now have to wait five weeks to determine who advances to the final to be held on Saturday, April 26 at La Cartuja. Both teams have Champions League matches in the next two weeks (round of 16) and then, the internationals must travel with their national teams for a FIFA Date that is usually a real headache for European clubs.

In South America, there will be World Cup qualifiers between Thursday, March 20, and Tuesday, March 25. In Europe, the Nations League finals are also coming up, where Spain must play the quarter-finals against the Netherlands on Thursday, March 20, and Sunday, March 23, with the return match to be played at Mestalla. The other matchups are Croatia-France, Denmark-Portugal, and Italy-Germany.

When is the return leg of the Copa del Rey 'semis' played?

Thus, we will have to wait until Wednesday, April 2, at 21:30 to define a thrilling tie at the Metropolitano. A couple of weeks earlier, on Sunday, March 16, the culés will face the 'colchoneros' again in Madrid, but for matchday 28 of LaLiga, where both teams are separated by just 1 point. In that sense, the league duel also shapes up as another final if both teams maintain their privileged position in the next two matchdays.

• Return match: Wednesday, April 2 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid at 21:30. Aggregate: 4-4.

Additionally, Barça will seek revenge for both the draw on Tuesday and the 1-2 from matchday 18, where Diego Simeone's team came back from Pedri's initial goal in the first half with goals from Rodrigo de Paul and Alexander Sorloth in the second half. And indeed, for now, Atlético is the only team that can boast an unbeaten record of two matches against the team managed by Hansi Flick. In the Champions League, both teams could only meet in a hypothetical final.

⚽Next matches of FC Barcelona

1. Sunday, March 2 in Montjuïc, 4:15 p.m.: FC Barcelona vs Real Sociedad. LaLiga, matchday 26.
2. Wednesday, March 5 in Lisbon, 9:00 p.m.: Benfica vs FC Barcelona. Champions League, first leg of the round of 16.
3. Saturday, March 8 in Montjuïc, 9:00 p.m.: FC Barcelona vs Osasuna. LaLiga, matchday 27.
4. Tuesday, March 11 in Montjuïc, 7:45 p.m.: FC Barcelona vs. Benfica. Champions League, second leg of the round of 16.
5. Sunday, March 16 in Madrid, 9:00 p.m.: Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona. LaLiga, matchday 28.
6. Wednesday, March 19 in Barcelona, ​​8:45 p.m.: Espanyol vs. FC Barcelona. Semifinal of the Catalunya Cup.
7. Wednesday, April 2, 8:30 p.m.: Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona. Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg.

 ⚽Upcoming matches of Atlético de Madrid

1. Saturday, March 1 in Madrid, 9:00 p.m.: Atlético de Madrid vs Athletic Club. LaLiga, matchday 26.
2. Tuesday, March 4 in Madrid, 9:00 p.m.: Real Madrid vs Atlético de Madrid. Champions League, first leg of the round of 16.
3. Sunday, March 9 in Madrid, 2:00 p.m.: Getafe vs Atlético de Madrid. LaLiga, matchday 27.
4. Wednesday, March 12 in Madrid, 9:00 p.m.: Atlético de Madrid vs Real Madrid. Champions League, second leg of the round of 16.
5. Sunday, March 16 in Madrid, 9:00 p.m.: Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona. LaLiga, matchday 28.
6. Wednesday, April 2, 8:30 p.m.: Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona. Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg.