Semifinalists of the Cup Defined! Discover the Possible Rivals of FC Barcelona

The Copa del Rey 2024-25 already has its four semifinalists. With the 'manita' of FC Barcelona against Valencia (0-5), the final bracket of the tournament was set, awaiting the draw for the knockout rounds to be held next Wednesday, February 12. Unlike the previous phases, the 'semis' will be played over two legs, with matches scheduled for February 26 and April 2. The possibility of a new Clásico or Madrid derby is just around the corner after the qualification of Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, and Real Sociedad.

This is, in fact, the seventh time that the four teams have coincided in this phase of the tournament. The last time was in 2013-14, when Barça eliminated the Donostiarras with an aggregate score of 3-1 and Real Madrid triumphed in the derby against Atlético with a resounding 5-0 aggregate. Next, we review each of the semifinalists of His Majesty's trophy.

Barça, the most dominant team so far

With the thrashing of Valencia at Mestalla, Hansi Flick's team continued their overwhelming march in the Cup. The culés debuted with a rout on the field of Barbastro (0-4) and, in the round of 16, eliminated Real Betis in Montjuïc (5-1). After Thursday's victory in the quarterfinals, Barça has three consecutive wins, 14 goals scored, and only 1 conceded. Ferran Torres, with 4 goals, is the top scorer for Barça in the Cup so far, thanks to the 'hat-trick' scored against the 'chés'. The 'Shark', in fact, tied with Julián Álvarez (Atlético) for the scoring lead.

Barça's matches in the Cup 24-25:

1. UD Barbastro 0-4 FC Barcelona (round of 32, in Barbastro).
2. FC Barcelona 5-1 Real Betis (round of 16, in Montjuïc).
3. Valencia 0-5 FC Barcelona (quarterfinals, in Mestalla).

Atlético de Madrid, the other formidable rival in the draw

The 'colchonero' team has done the same in the previous rounds. Diego Simeone's men had to play the two rounds prior to the round of 32, defeating Vic (0-2) and Cacereño (1-3). After that, they eliminated Marbella (0-1), Elche (0-4), and Getafe (5-0). In this way, the 'Aleti' has scored 15 goals and conceded only 1 in the five matches leading up to the semifinals.

Atlético's matches in the Cup 24-25

1. UE Vic 0-2 Atlético de Madrid (first round, in Barcelona).
2. Cacereño 1-3 Atlético de Madrid (second round, in Cáceres).
3. Marbella 0-1 Atlético de Madrid (round of 32, in Marbella).
4. Elche 0-4 Atlético de Madrid (quarterfinals, in Elche).
5. Atlético de Madrid 5-0 Getafe (quarterfinals, at the Metropolitano).

Real Madrid, in 'semis' despite defensive urgencies

On the other hand, Real Madrid has had to overcome a much bumpier road to reach the final stages. The 'merengues' easily thrashed Deportiva Minera in the round of 32 (0-5), but could only defeat Celta at the Bernabéu (5-2) in extra time thanks to refereeing assistance. On Wednesday, a goal from youth player Gonzalo in the 90+3' saved them from another extension against Leganés in Butarque (2-3). With a defense completely broken by injuries and increasingly poor play, Carlo Ancelotti's men have taken advantage of an easy draw so far to reach the 'semis'.

Real Madrid's matches in the Cup 24-25:

1. Deportiva Minera 0-5 Real Madrid (round of 32, in Cartagena).
2. Real Madrid 5-2 Celta de Vigo (round of 16, in Santiago Bernabéu. The match went to extra time).
3. Leganés 2-3 Real Madrid (quarterfinals, in Butarque).

Real Sociedad, seeking their first final since 2020

The Donostiarras complete the semifinal bracket after defeating Osasuna in San Sebastián (2-0) this Thursday. Real began their journey with a 'manita' on the field of Jove Español (0-5) and, in the second round, had to go through extra time against Conquense (0-1) to advance to the round of 32. There, their opponent was Ponferradina (0-2), while in the round of 16, Imanol Alguacil's team defeated Rayo in Anoeta (3-1). The 'txuri-urdines' have not reached the final since the 2019-20 season, the year in which, due to the pandemic, the decisive match had to be postponed for a year. In the Basque derby against Athletic, the victory went to the Donosti team (1-0).

Real Sociedad's matches in the Cup 24-25

1. Jove Español 0-5 Real Sociedad (first round, in San Vicente).
2. UB Conquense 0-1 Real Sociedad (second round, in Cuenca. The match went to extra time).
3. SD Ponferradina 0-2 Real Sociedad (round of 32, in Ponferrada).
4. Real Sociedad 3-1 Rayo Vallecano (round of 16, in Anoeta).
5. Real Sociedad 2-0 Osasuna (quarterfinals, in Anoeta).