Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday, February 12, 2026, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Ademola Lookman, who recently joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta, is available for selection and could feature against the Catalan giants. However, Barcelona will be without several key players.
Marcus Rashford is unavailable due to a left knee injury sustained against Mallorca. Although the issue is not considered serious, medical staff have advised caution, ruling him out of the first leg. Raphinha and Pedri are also unavailable three crucial attacking players missing for Barca in a game of this magnitude.
This will be massive for Barcelona, and their performance in the first leg will be critical in shaping expectations for the return fixture.
Looking at recent history, Barcelona have dominated this fixture. In the last 10 meetings, Barca have recorded eight wins, with Atletico managing just one win and one draw. That record shows Barca’s ability to break down Diego Simeone’s system both home and away.
However, the usual difference-makers Raphinha, Pedri and Rashford are absent. That shifts more responsibility onto Lamine Yamal, who remains fit and ready. The young star continues to be a major threat and could be decisive against Atletico’s compact defensive structure.
Softfootball recommends a balanced lineup for Barca. Introducing Eric García into midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong could provide stability and tactical flexibility, given García’s utility qualities. At the back, Pau Cubarsí and Alejandro Balde should anchor the defence. In attack, Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski can lead the line, with Dani Olmo operating as a number 10 and Lamine Yamal on the right wing.
Barcelona’s dominance in this fixture often comes from their composure in possession. They slow the tempo, control the ball and dictate rhythm. Atletico, on the other hand, thrive on counter-attacks, defensive discipline and high-energy transitions.
