Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Barcelona suffered a stunning collapse as they were thrashed 4–0 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, a defeat head coach Hansi Flick described as a “lesson” for his side. The heavy loss, sealed largely in a devastating first half, has left the Catalan giants facing an uphill battle ahead of the return leg.

Coming into the clash on the back of six consecutive victories, Barcelona were widely expected to continue their strong run of form. Instead, they were left reeling inside seven minutes. A costly back pass from Eric Garcia resulted in an own goal that handed Atletico Madrid an early advantage and set the tone for the evening. The setback visibly unsettled the visitors, and Atletico capitalized with ruthless efficiency.

Under the guidance of coach Diego Simeone, Atletico pressed aggressively and maintained relentless attacking momentum. Midfield orchestrator Koke controlled the tempo, while Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez spearheaded the assault on Barcelona’s defense. Griezmann doubled the lead in the 14th minute with a clinical finish, exposing gaps in Barcelona’s backline. The pressure did not ease, and by the 33rd minute, Ademola Lookman added a third, leaving the visitors stunned.

Just before halftime, Álvarez struck again to make it 4–0, effectively putting the tie beyond Barcelona’s immediate reach. The four-goal blitz in the opening 45 minutes highlighted Atletico’s intensity and tactical discipline, while Barcelona appeared disorganized and unable to cope with the pace and physicality of their opponents.

Barcelona attempted to regroup. Ferran Torres and young sensation Lamine Yamal tried to inject urgency into the attack, but Atletico shifted gears strategically. Rather than pushing for more goals, Simeone’s side focused on defensive solidity, closing spaces and frustrating Barcelona’s attempts to find a breakthrough. Despite increased possession and sporadic chances, Barcelona failed to score, compounding what Flick later admitted was a sobering night for his team.

Speaking after the match, Flick acknowledged his side’s shortcomings. He stated that Barcelona had received a deserved lesson, noting that in recent matches they had managed to win despite not always performing convincingly. This time, however, their disjointed first-half display was punished decisively. Flick emphasized that his players must learn from the experience and regain their sharpness quickly.

Appeared unfazed by the emphatic scoreline. He remarked that such performances have become routine for his team, recalling a 5–2 victory over Real Madrid earlier in the season. His confidence reflected Atletico’s growing belief and consistency in high-stakes matches.

Despite the heavy defeat, Barcelona remain top of the La Liga table, and Flick expressed strong faith in his squad’s ability to respond. He pointed out that the team has played excellent football throughout the season and insisted that they will aim to bounce back in the next fixture. The return leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final is scheduled for March 3, when Barcelona will host Atletico on home soil. Before that decisive encounter, they must navigate several important La Liga matches that could influence both morale and momentum.

Barcelona, the challenge now is not only tactical but psychological. Overturning a four-goal deficit against a disciplined Atletico side will require near perfection. For Atletico Madrid, the commanding first-leg victory places them firmly in control of the tie and reinforces their credentials as serious contenders for silverware this season. As anticipation builds for the second leg, the question remains whether Barcelona can script a dramatic comeback or whether Atletico will complete a dominant passage to the final.