Sergio Roberto gives remontada advice to Barcelona ahead of Atletico clash

Barcelona’s quest for an improbable Copa del Rey final appearance has received a timely dose of belief from one of the club’s most emblematic comeback specialists. Speaking exclusively to Sport, former captain Sergio Roberto—whose 95th-minute strike sealed the historic 6-1 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017 Champions League—has urged the current squad to embrace the same conviction as they prepare to overturn a 4-0 deficit against Atlético Madrid in Tuesday’s semi-final second leg at Camp Nou.

“It all starts with believing in a comeback,” Roberto said. “From what I’m reading, the players and coaches have this mentality. Honestly, I think it’s possible. The opponent is very strong, but when I scored my last goal, we were facing one of the best teams in the world, PSG.”

The 32-year-old, who joined Italian side Como last summer, stressed that early intensity and rapid goals will be critical if Barça are to chip away at the four-goal margin. “For us, scoring an early goal was key. If you start with intensity and attack from the first minute, the fans and the players gain confidence,” he explained, while cautioning that Diego Simeone’s side remain lethal on the break. “Atlético is very dangerous on the counter-attack, with top-level players up front who exploit space very well. The start of the match is crucial; we need to score as quickly as possible.”

Although Camp Nou will not be at full capacity, Roberto is convinced the crowd can still act as a twelfth man. “Perhaps the atmosphere won’t be the same, unfortunately it won’t be at its full capacity, but it’s possible, and the fans will be behind them. The fans will be fully behind them.”

Despite now plying his trade abroad, Roberto remains a devoted follower of the Blaugrana. “I don’t miss a single match. I think they’re doing really well,” he said, praising the squad’s progress under Hansi Flick. “Last season was incredible because of the titles they won and the way they played and competed. They’re fighting for every trophy, they’re still in all three competitions.”

Barcelona’s recent form offers a glimmer of hope: the team has demonstrated resilience in La Liga and Europe, and Roberto insists the tie is not over. “The first leg of the Cup didn’t go as they hoped, but we have to have faith in this team, they played some fantastic matches. I’m so glad they’re doing so well.”

The winners of the tie will meet either Athletic Club or Real Sociedad in the final, adding extra incentive for Barcelona to produce another chapter in their storied history of European comebacks. Yet with Atlético holding a commanding lead and possessing the weapons to punish any over-commitment, the Catalans must balance urgency with defensive discipline if they are to keep their Copa del Rey dream alive.