Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: Five Barca Injury Setbacks, Predicted Lineups And Team News

Madrid, Spain – Barcelona will travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Thursday, 12 February 2026, for the first-leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid, carrying the weight of five confirmed absentees and a reshuffled attack that could tilt the tie in the home side’s favour.

Kick-off is set for 9:00 p.m. local time, and while the stakes are high, the visitors’ preparations have been clouded by a spate of injuries. Winger Raphinha and on-loan forward Marcus Rashford have both been ruled out, joining midfielders Pedri and Gavi, as well as defender Andreas Christensen, on the sidelines.

Raphinha, who has scored 13 goals and assisted five in 22 appearances this season, failed to shake off a groin issue that has already kept him out of wins over Albacete and Mallorca. Coach Hansi Flick stressed caution: “We cannot take risks whenever he feels discomfort,” leaving the Brazilian unavailable for selection.

Rashford’s absence is precautionary; the 28-year-old reported pain in his left knee after a heavy challenge in Barça’s 3-0 victory against Mallorca last weekend. Although the injury is not believed to be serious, the England international will sit out Thursday’s encounter and is pencilled in for a return against Girona on 16 February.

The twin setbacks leave Flick short of proven firepower and force a tactical rethink. Lamine Yamal, fresh from becoming the highest under-19 scorer in Europe’s top-five leagues after netting in five consecutive matches, is expected to start on the right wing. Ferran Torres is poised to lead the line, with Robert Lewandowski—whose contract expires in the summer—retaining a pivotal role in the squad. Flick can also deploy Fermin Lopez or Dani Olmo on the left, but the absence of Raphinha’s direct running and Rashford’s physical presence will inevitably alter Barcelona’s attacking dynamic.

Predicted Barcelona XI (4-3-3): Joan Garcia; Alejandro Balde, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Jules Kounde; Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo; Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are close to full strength. Diego Simeone is expected to line up in a 4-4-2, with Juan Musso in goal protected by a back four of Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko and Matteo Ruggeri. Midfield industry will be supplied by club captain Koke, Rodrigo Mendoza, Alejandro Baena and Giuliano Simeone, while the strike pairing of Julian Alvarez and Ademola Lookman offers pace and clinical finishing.

Only Johnny Cardoso is confirmed unavailable, with Nicolas Gonzalez rated doubtful.

Predicted Atletico Madrid XI (4-4-2): Juan Musso; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo Mendoza, Koke, Alejandro Baena; Julian Alvarez, Ademola Lookman.

With Barcelona forced to lean on midfield creativity and quick combination play to compensate for their depleted forward line, Thursday’s clash promises to be a fascinating chess match between two sides who know a single away goal could prove decisive ahead of next week’s return at Montjuïc.

Barcelona injury list: Pedri, Gavi, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, Andreas Christensen.

Atletico Madrid injury list: Johnny Cardoso; Nicolas Gonzalez (doubtful).