Ademola Lookman will come up against Barcelona after Atlético Madrid were paired with the holders in the semi finals of the Copa del Rey following the draw conducted on Friday, February 6. The pairing sets up one of the standout ties of the competition as two of Spain’s biggest clubs battle for a place in the final.
The semi final line up features four traditional heavyweights, with Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Club and Real Sociedad all advancing to the last four. Barcelona, the most successful club in the history of the tournament and reigning champions, will face Atlético Madrid, while Athletic Club take on Real Sociedad in the other semi final.
The semi finals will be played over two legs, with each team hosting one match, unlike the earlier rounds which were decided by single match knockouts. The first legs are scheduled to take place between February 10 and February 12, with the return fixtures set for early March between March 3 and March 5.
Atlético Madrid booked their place in the semi finals in emphatic fashion on Thursday night with a commanding 5-0 victory over Real Betis in the quarter final at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. Ademola Lookman was at the heart of the performance, scoring and providing an assist as he reached the milestone of 100 career goals. The Nigerian forward produced a lively display, registering five shots, completing 38 passes from 44 attempts, recording 64 touches and completing three successful dribbles. He was withdrawn in the 79th minute to warm applause, making way for fellow January signing Orbelín Vargas.
Barcelona, meanwhile, continue to underline their dominance in the competition by reaching the semi finals for the 16th time in the last 20 years and for the 62nd time overall. The Catalan club have appeared in 43 Copa del Rey finals and lifted the trophy on 32 occasions, a record that reinforces their status as the most decorated side in the tournament’s history.
The final of this year’s Copa del Rey is scheduled to be held at La Cartuja in Seville on April 25, although the date could still be adjusted due to the city’s April Fair.
