Atlético to face Real Madrid in Copa del Rey quarterfinal

Friday’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal draw has pitted Atlético Madrid against eternal rival Real Madrid with a place in the competition’s last four on the line.

Atlético could have been drawn against any of the seven top-flight teams in the field but have been handed arguably the toughest assignment. Real Madrid will host the game at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Jan. 26 — the first cup meeting between the capital clubs since a two-legged round of 16 clash in 2015. Atlético advanced 4-2 on aggregate that year before bowing out in the quarterfinals.

Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Atlético have reached the last eight of the Copa del Rey after a five-year drought. The Colchoneros’ four wins thus far are their most in the cup since the 2013/14 edition — coincidentally, the last time Real Madrid eliminated them from the competition. Diego Simeone’s men have played lower-division sides to this point and will need to knock out at least one of Spain’s “Big Two” to keep alive their hopes of winning the King’s Cup for the first time in a decade — when they beat Madrid in the final at the Bernabéu.

Madrid last reached this stage in 2019 and have not won the Copa del Rey in nine years. Los Blancos have been in topsy-turvy form since play resumed following the winter World Cup — Carlo Ancelotti’s men have slipped to second in LaLiga behind Barcelona and lost convincingly to the Catalans in the Supercopa de España final in Saudi Arabia. Madrid needed a patented rally to top Villarreal at La Cerámica on Thursday and make it into Friday’s draw.

The complete draw

Real Madrid CF v Club Atlético de Madrid

CA Osasuna v Sevilla FC

Valencia CF v Athletic Club

FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad de Fútbol