Barcelona XI vs. Atletico Madrid: Rashford’s Time to Shine—Injury News, Predicted Lineup

Barcelona travel to the Metropolitano on Thursday night to open their Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético Madrid knowing that a place in back-to-back finals for the first time this decade is at stake. Hansi Flick’s side, winners of 10 of their 11 fixtures since the calendar flipped to 2026, are chasing a record 33rd Copa crown, yet the visit to Madrid represents the sternest test of their domestic credentials so far this year.

The Catalans dismantled Mallorca 3–0 at the weekend, but the stakes rise sharply against a Rojiblanco outfit that, despite an uneven campaign, has repeatedly relished the underdog role against Barça. With the tie decided over two legs, Thursday’s away leg demands near-perfection if Flick’s men are to return home with a result that keeps the dream alive.

Injury concerns cloud the buildup. Raphinha is in the final phase of rehab for an adductor strain, training individually and facing a late fitness test. Even if the Brazilian receives medical clearance, he is expected to be limited to bench duty. He would join Pedri, Gavi and Andreas Christensen in the treatment room, leaving Flick to juggle resources once again.

Without Pedri, the German has re-engineered his midfield, shifting from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 that features Frenkie de Jong as the single pivot, flanked by academy product Fermín López and Dani Olmo operating in the half spaces. The trio’s fluidity has become central to Barcelona’s build-up and will be vital against Atléti’s compact block.

Between the posts, Joan García is poised to make his mark. Wojciech Szczęsny’s clean sheet in last season’s semifinal first leg at the Metropolitano set the standard; García must now replicate that composure. In front of him, Eric García anchors a back four that includes teenage standout Pau Cubarsí, tasked with containing Ademola Lookman and Julián Álvarez. Jules Koundé, fresh from a string of uneven defensive displays, starts at right-back but could find himself under early pressure, with João Cancelo on standby. On the opposite flank, Alejandro Balde will look to reproduce the performance from December when he neutralized Guiliano Simeone.

Further forward, the spotlight falls on Marcus Rashford. With Raphinha unavailable and Atlético historically shading coverage toward Lamine Yamal, the Englishman is primed to exploit the weak-side channels. After an encouraging display against Mallorca, Rashford has the platform to stamp his authority on a marquee Spanish night. Yamal, unbeaten in five career meetings with Simeone’s side and riding a five-game scoring streak, starts on the right, while Robert Lewandowski leads the line against Atlético’s physical centre-backs.

Kickoff at the Metropolitano is more than a semifinal first leg; it is a litmus test of Barcelona’s mettle and, potentially, the evening Rashford announces himself as a difference-maker in Blaugrana colours.

Barcelona predicted XI (4-3-3): Joan García; Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Alejandro Balde; Fermín López, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford.