How will Atlético Madrid line up in the Copa del Rey final?

Atlético Madrid have the chance to win their first Copa del Rey since 2013 when they take on Real Sociedad in this year’s final on Saturday night at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Sevilla. After years of suffering eliminations to lower-league opposition, or being dramatically beaten in recent semi-finals, Atleti will go into the final as favourites against the side from San Sebastián. View this post on Instagram Atleti’s road to the final Diego Simeone has shown a clear intention to take this competition seriously this season, with each tie showing an improvement from the last.

A clunky win away to Atlético Baleares started off the road to the final, before a successful trip up to Galicia saw Deportivo La Coruña dispatched with minimal fuss. Los Rojiblancos then turned on the style with a 5-0 win at Real Betis who are playing this campaign at the scene of this Saturday’s final. That night saw Ademola Lookman make his debut and kickstart his Atleti career, which has since been stellar.

The two-legged semi-finals brought a familiar foe to the table in the shape of FC Barcelona, but any worries were annuled not long after the first leg got underway. Atleti raced into a 4-0 lead and all looked said and done, only for Barça to put on a masterclass back up north which almost saw the deficit overturned. The return match finished 3-0 to the Catalans, meaning Atleti squirmed through to the final by the skin of their teeth.

Antoine Griezmann has been the star player in this year’s Copa, scoring in each tie and playing a pivotal role throughout. His free-kick in the round of 16 against Depor was the turning point in his season that saw him work his way back into Simeone’s starting lineup. In what is his final season in Madrid, Griezmann has the chance to go out in the perfect way by delivering the famous trophy back in the hands of the Atleti faithful, something he hasn’t been able to do in any competition since the 2018 UEFA Europa League.