The Copa del Rey arises vividly among the objectives of the Atlético de Madrid and the Athletic Clubfaced since this Wednesday in a total challenge, whose starting point is the Metropolitano, between the rest difference between both teams claimed by Diego Simeone, the probable ownership of Iñaki Williams and the doubt of Nico.

Athletic played last Friday. They won 4-0 against Mallorca. Atlético played their derby against Real Madrid on Sunday, with an agonizing 1-1. There are two days of distance between one set and another that lead to this Wednesday’s clash; the fifth consecutive semifinals for the Bilbao team and the first in six years for the Madrid team, since 2016-17.

Five days against three of break, 120 and a half hours against 72 and a half to go from one match to another, when the referee, Hernández Hernández, marks the beginning of an imposing clash at the Metropolitano, in which Atlético displays its strength and his football more clearly than ever, invincible in his last 28 gamessince January 8, 2023. Won 26.

Athletic Club has never beaten Simeone’s Atlético there. Nor did he do it in the late Vicente Calderón. Of their thirteen matches in those territories, they won eleven and only conceded two draws. The last triumph of the Bilbao team at Atlético’s field dates back to 2011, when the Argentine coach was still leading Catania in Serie A.

In contrast, without that factor, the balance shines: in their last ten matches in all competitions, Atlético has won the same amount against Athletic as vice versa, four each, plus two draws. In recent memory, in its last precedent, Simeone’s team was overwhelmed in San Mamés, on December 16, with 2-0 until short.

Iñaki Williams, available

Atlético then suffered a barrage of speed, intensity and football that overwhelmed them, led by Iñaki and Nico Williams, who were injured on Friday in the 4-0 win over Mallorca. Iñaki seems like he will arrive without excessive problems on Wednesday, but with Nico, a adductor muscle injuryit’s more complicated.

The youngest Williams has been the differential ‘lion’ since his brother’s departure to the African Cup, from which Iñaki returned on an express flight to be the hero against Barcelona in the cup quarterfinals.

At Athletic, beyond the Williams, it seems that Valverde will be able to count on the rest of the squad, although replacing Nico would mean the added difficulty of his first natural substitute, Alex Berenguerwho seems like he may be available, is coming off an injury, so it would still be Malcom Adu Areswho already came out against Barça, who would take his place.

Probable lineups

Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Molina or Llorente, Witsel, Hermoso, Reinildo; De Paul, Koke, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann and Morata or Memphis.

Athletic Club: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Prados, Galarreta; Iñaki Williams, Sancet, Nico Williams or Adu Ares; and Guruzeta.

Referee: Hernández Hernández (Las Palmas Committee).

Stadium: Cívitas Metropolitano.

Hour: 21:00

Source: Eitb

Kingston

Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.