BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad will compete for the Copa del Rey in a neutral final in Seville on Saturday.
Atlético are trying to put a cap on it. A great week for fans After Diego Simeone’s team eliminated Barcelona Champions League quarter-finals and city rivals Real Madrid too lost to Bayern Munich.
Sociedad are looking for a mild upset to win the trophy under American manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, who took over the team midway through the season.
important facts
Since taking over as Atlético manager in 2011, Simeone has turned a club in turmoil into a perennial winner and one of Europe’s toughest competitors. However, nearly five years have passed without using any silverware.
A win against Sociedad would give Atlético their first trophy since La Liga in 2021 and their first Copa del Rey since 2013.
The Copa will give them further momentum before they face Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals starting on April 29.
Atlético also defeated Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Sociedad won recently 2020 Copa del Rey They defeated Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao in the final, which was postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When I was born in New Jersey Matarazzo was hired In late December, Sociedad were just two points above the relegation zone. They have since moved up to seventh place and are aiming to qualify for Europe once again.
Sociedad defeated Osasuna, Alaves and Athletic to reach the final, which will be held at La Cartuja Stadium.
In the only previous Copa del Rey final, in 1987, Sociedad defeated Atlético on penalties.
Featured players
Atlético’s all-time top scorer, Antoine Griezmann, will be able to cap his impressive run at the club with a Copa win before leaving the club. Join Orlando City In MLS next season.
The France World Cup winner remains an important player for Simeone thanks to his vision and playmaking skills.
However, Atlético will also expect goals from Julián Álvarez and Ademola Lookman, as well as Marcos Llorente, who will play Sociedad’s mainstay in midfield or right-back.
Mikel Oyarzabal leads Sociedad in the striker position and has a track record of winning big matches. He scored the only goal in the 2021 Copa del Rey final, Securing a goal in the final stages Spain’s 2024 European Championship final against England.
He will be supported by winger Gonzalo Guedes and midfielder Carlos Soler.
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Sociedad are almost at full strength with the recent return of forward Take Kubo, but Atlético could still be without centre-backs David Hanko and Jose María Jimenez due to injury. Former Sociedad centre-back Robin Le Normand is likely to start for Atlético.
off the field
La Liga is off this weekend.
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