Barcelona suffered a crushing 4–0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, with all four goals coming in a devastating first-half performance.
Softfootball gathered that Atlético were relentless from the opening whistle, with Ademola Lookman and Antoine Griezmann tormenting Barcelona’s defence throughout the game. The tie was effectively decided before halftime, as Diego Simeone’s side capitalised on defensive lapses and controlled transitions with precision.
Julián Álvarez even had a chance to make it 5–0, underlining just how dominant Atlético were on the night.
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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick reportedly criticised VAR decisions after the match, but the reality was clear Atlético outplayed Barcelona in intensity, organisation and clinical finishing.
Coming into the match, history favoured Barcelona. In the last ten meetings before this clash, Barça had recorded eight wins, one draw and just one defeat against Atlético. However, the dynamic appears to have shifted since the arrival of Ademola Lookman.
Lookman delivered a standout performance, directly impacting the game with pace, creativity and sharp movement. He outshone Lamine Yamal on the night, consistently exploiting space and driving at the Barcelona backline. His influence was undeniable, and he later stated that he came to Atlético to “make magic” and he did just that.
This heavy loss raises serious questions about “Flick-ball” and Barcelona’s defensive structure in high-intensity matches. The defeat also highlights what Atalanta may be missing since Lookman’s departure, given his growing impact at Atlético.
The second leg now presents a monumental task for Barcelona. A comeback is possible in football but overturning a four-goal deficit against this Atlético side will require something extraordinary.
