FC Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid Lineups: Predicted XI & Subs

Barcelona finds itself in the most grueling position any club can face in knockout football: staring at a 4-0 deficit with 90 minutes left to play. The Catalan side must produce something historic at the Spotify Camp Nou to reach the Copa del Rey final, and everything hinges on which players Hansi Flick can call upon. With key absentees and surprising inclusions, the predicted lineups for this second-leg semifinal are anything but straightforward.

Date: 08.04.2026 ·
Competition: Copa del Rey ·
First Leg Result: Atlético Madrid 4-0 Barcelona ·
Venue: Spotify Camp Nou ·
Key Absence: Robert Lewandowski

Who won Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid today?

The first leg was decisively won by Atlético Madrid, who hammered Barcelona 4-0 at their home ground. That result left Barcelona needing a historic comeback—just to force extra time, Hansi Flick’s side must score at least four goals without reply. According to AS (Spanish sports daily), the atmosphere before that first leg was already tense, with Barcelona’s squad aware they faced a daunting task.

The aggregate score stands at Atlético Madrid 4, Barcelona 0. No away goals needed to clarify the math—Barcelona simply must win by five goals or more to advance in regulation, or four goals to force extra time.

Recent match results

• Atlético Madrid 4-0 Barcelona (Copa del Rey semifinal, first leg)
• Lamine Yamal scored his first senior hat-trick before the first leg (Sports Mole (football predictions outlet))
• Pedri featured against Levante and Villarreal after returning from injury

Aggregate scores

What are FC Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid lineups today?

Both clubs have confirmed their starting XIs, though Barcelona’s lineup carries significant disruption. Robert Lewandowski is sidelined with a left eye socket fracture (Sports Mole (football predictions outlet)), while Eric García serves a suspension following his red card in the first leg (Sports Mole).

Barcelona starting XI

The confirmed Barcelona lineup features Joan García in goal—the keeper has 15 clean sheets this season (AS). In defence, Jules Koundé lines up at right-back while Joao Cancelo occupies the left-back role (Bolavip (football news outlet)). The centre-back partnership of Gerard Martín and Pau Cubarsí is new territory for Hansi Flick’s backline.

The midfield trio comprises Marc Bernal, Pedri, and Fermín López (AS). Pedri missed the first leg but returned to face Levante and Villarreal and is available for this decisive match (Sports Mole). The attack is led by Ferran Torres as striker, with Lamine Yamal on the right wing and Raphinha on the left wing.

Lamine Yamal is confirmed to start on the right wing following his scintillating form, which included his first senior hat-trick (Sports Mole). Raphinha missed the first leg but is available and confirmed to start on the left wing (Bolavip).

The bench offers Dani Olmo, who could be used to inject energy into the attack (AS), and Marcus Rashford, who is now available after his own injury spell (Sports Mole).

Atlético Madrid starting XI

Atlético Madrid names Juan Musso in goal (Bolavip). The confirmed starters include Koke, Antoine Griezmann, and Julián Álvarez (Bolavip), giving Diego Simeone a strong attacking contingent even without maximum squad depth.

Nicolas Gonzalez has returned to Atlético Madrid’s squad following a muscle tear, but he will begin the match on the bench (Bolavip). His availability could prove crucial if the match stretches into extra time or if Simeone needs to consolidate the lead.

Predicted substitutes

Is Barca out of Copa del Rey 2026?

Barcelona is not yet eliminated, but the mathematics are brutal. The club must produce a minimum four-goal swing to force extra time, or five goals to win the tie outright in 90 minutes. According to AS (Spanish sports daily), Hansi Flick has approached training with the message that this is far from over.

The path to the final requires Barcelona to overcome the largest deficit in Copa del Rey semifinal history. Historically, no side in Spanish football’s elite competition has recovered from 4-0 down after the first leg.

Match analysis

• Barcelona must score 4+ goals without conceding to force extra time
• Hansi Flick’s tactical setup must balance attack and defensive shape
• The return of Pedri and Raphinha adds significant quality to the midfield and flanks

Path to final

The winner of this semifinal faces either Real Madrid or Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final. The prospect of facing Barcelona in the final—as opposed to Atlético—creates added motivation for both clubs in the opposite bracket.

What are FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid lineups 2nd leg?

The second leg takes place at the Spotify Camp Nou (Bolavip), though the exact date remains disputed between sources—either 08.04.2026 or 14/04/2026. Both dates are plausible given Copa del Rey scheduling conventions, and readers should confirm the official fixture before making travel arrangements.

Key changes from first leg

• Eric García suspended (red card) → Gerard Martín starts at centre back
• Robert Lewandowski injured (eye) → Ferran Torres starts as striker
• Pedri available → starts in midfield after missing first leg
• Raphinha available → starts on left wing after missing first leg
• Marc Bernal in midfield for suspended Frenkie de Jong

What is the FC Barcelona lineup today?

The Barcelona lineup today reflects both necessity and opportunity. Hansi Flick has been forced into multiple changes by injuries and suspensions, but the return of key players from earlier setbacks gives the side genuine hope. You can find the predicted lineups and subs for the FC Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid match at Houston Rockets vs Milwaukee Bucks stats.

The star power remains concentrated in wide areas. Lamine Yamal, who scored his first senior hat-trick before these matches (Sports Mole), occupies the right wing and will look to exploit any space Atlético leave in behind their defensive block.

Star players in focus

Lamine Yamal leads the attacking threat. The 17-year-old’s recent hat-trick demonstrates that he is not merely a prospect but a genuine match-winner at this level. Raphinha on the opposite flank offers direct running and goal threat, while Ferran Torres must prove he can lead the line in Lewandowski’s absence.

Pedri’s return transforms the midfield. His ability to progress the ball through tight spaces and connect defence to attack gives Barcelona a dimension they lacked in the first leg, when he was unavailable.

Tactical setup

Hansi Flick is expected to employ a high press to force Atlético Madrid into errors in their own half. Without Lewandowski to hold the ball up, Barcelona will rely on rapid transitions through Yamal and Raphinha. The midfield—with Pedri pulling strings alongside Marc Bernal and Fermín López—must dominate the centre of the park if Barcelona is to create the volume of chances required.

“We’re going to make the impossible possible.”

— Barcelona’s internal motto ahead of the second leg, as reported by AS

“This Barcelona side has shown resilience all season. The challenge now is to channel that into 90 minutes of historic football.”

— Sports Mole analysts on Barcelona’s comeback chances

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Predictions here closely align with NZ Newsdesks team preview, which outlines expected XIs and form ahead of the Camp Nou clash.

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