Overview
Atletico Madrid lost to Barcelona 0-3 in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. However, a 4-0 victory in the first leg at home was still enough to help them qualify for the final with a close score.
Coach Diego Simeone's team is entering a key stage of the season when they have to fight on three fronts. In addition to the domestic arena, the capital team is also preparing for two round of 16 Champions League matches against Tottenham Hotspur.
In La Liga, Atletico is maintaining stable form with two consecutive victories against Espanyol and Real Oviedo. Currently they are ranked third in the standings, tied on points with Villarreal - the fourth-placed team.
The 8-point gap with Real Betis (Fifth) helps Atletico have a great advantage in the race to win a Champions League spot next season.
Home field strength continues to be a major support for the red and white team. Atletico has won 34 points after 13 matches in La Liga this season, the second best home record in the league, only behind Barcelona.
On the other side of the battle line, Real Sociedad just defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final to win a ticket to the final with a total score of 2-0.
That means the Copa del Rey final will be a confrontation between Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, making the clash between the two teams in La Liga this weekend even more noteworthy.
Real Sociedad is aiming to finish the season in the top 6. Currently, they are ranked eighth in the La Liga standings, 5 points behind Celta Vigo - the team ranked sixth.
Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo's team just defeated Mallorca 1-0 in the most recent round and will aim to win 3 more important points when playing away at Atletico's stadium.
In the first leg at the beginning of the season, Real Sociedad drew 1-1 with Atletico. However, they have not been able to defeat the capital team since January 2022.
Personnel situation
Pablo Barrios has missed Atletico Madrid's last 4 La Liga matches due to a muscle injury, but the Spanish midfielder is likely to return to the squad in this weekend's match.
Diego Simeone almost has a full force to choose from and can make a few adjustments in attack. Alexander Sorloth is expected to start instead of Antoine Griezmann to bring freshness to the attacking front.
Alex Baena is also competing for a starting position, although it is highly likely that the Spanish player will be brought on from the bench.
On the other side, Real Sociedad welcomed good news when Brais Mendez returned after suspension. However, the Basque team is still missing Alvaro Odriozola, Inaki Ruperez and Takefusa Kubo due to injury.
Goalkeeper Alex Remiro will return to start after missing the Copa del Rey semi-final match against Athletic Bilbao. In addition to this change, Real Sociedad's squad is unlikely to have many changes.
In attack, captain Mikel Oyarzabal continues to play the center forward role, while Alex Barrenetxea and Goncalo Guedes will operate on both wings.
Expected lineup:
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Cardoso, Koke, Lookman, Alvarez, Sorloth.
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Martin, Zubeldia, Gomez, Gorrotxategi, Turrientes, Guedes, Soler, Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal.
The match between Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad takes place at 0:30 am on March 8 (Vietnam time).
