In a stunning first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal, Barcelona found themselves embarrassed by Atletico Madrid, losing 4-0 before even registering a shot on target. This defeat marks one of Barcelona’s worst encounters against Atletico, equating previous losses of the same scoreline in 1989 and 1942. The team’s struggle was evident as they faced their first halftime deficit of four goals since an infamous 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in 2020.

Even though the return leg at Camp Nou on March 3 presents a glimmer of hope, Barcelona must address serious tactical shortcomings in their gameplay. The absence of Raphinha was particularly damaging, with the team unable to maintain momentum against a revamped Atletico side. While Barcelona continues to lead LaLiga - just one point ahead of Real Madrid - Raphinha’s impact is unmistakable; all of the team’s losses this season coincide with his absence due to injury.

Tactically, Barcelona struggles to maintain defensive integrity, making any scoring necessary to secure points crucial. This loss highlights the need for immediate adjustments to avoid further limitations, especially given the recent red card received by Eric Garcia.

On the other side, Atletico Madrid’s acquisition of Ademola Lookman has proved to be beneficial. After joining from Atalanta, Lookman has already made significant contributions in his few matches. With Champions League knockouts approaching, Simeone’s side is in a favorable position to manage their squad’s fitness moving forward.

Reminiscing their previous miraculous comeback in 2017 against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Barcelona still harbors the belief that a revival is possible during the next leg at Camp Nou.