Barca unconvincing in another shaky performance but reach Copa final

Roles were reversed as Barcelona mamma deep once being reduced to 9 men to stand up to a late and unforeseen onslaught from Atletico national capital to secure a 1-1 draw, reaching a fourth successive Copa del Rey final via a 3-2 combination win. Luis Enrique's side were outplayed for abundant of the 1st 0.5 however looked within the driving seat due to Luis Suarez's strike simply before the break, although the night was so much from over, and it took an almighty detachment action to keep Atletico go in a volcanic final 5 minutes of injury time once the Uruguayan had followed Sergi Roberto down the tunnel.

Positives

A fourth successive place in the piece de resistance of Spain's oldest competition isn't to be sniffed at, especially given the groups Barca have had to beat to get there once more this season: Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Atletico. While cup competitions area unit going out of fashion around Europe, Barca continue to show the utmost relevance the Copa del Rey despite having won the competition a record 28 times.

Negatives

Barca were unconvincing for much of the tie, this shaky display adding to their lifeless second-half performance at the Vicente Calderon. They were incapable of building on momentum in either leg and even lacked control once Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta came on. Looking ahead to the final, the absence of Suarez, who scored 2 of the team's 3 goals in this tie, is a huge loss -- to not mention an enormous personal black eye for the Uruguayan.

Manager rating out of 10

5 -- There area unit lots of inquiries to raise regarding Luis Enrique's choices before and through the sport. Javier Mascherano relishes games with Atletico and his absence from the starting lineup was a mistake as Diego Simeone's facet met very little within the manner of opposition within the half. The coach was also slow to react with his substitutions, leaving a hot-headed Sergi Roberto on for too long and it was very little surprise once the defender picked up a second yellow card.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after seventy minutes get no rating)

GK Jasper Cillessen, 8 -- This was the Dutchman's strongest show by so much in a very Barca jersey, a far cry from the nervy performance in the 1st leg. His footwork was spot on, he commanded his area with authority and created some prime saves whenever known as upon, which was so much too typically from his team's purpose of read.

DF Sergi Roberto, 4 -- maybe he was excited by his twenty fifth birthday, and it almost over up cost accounting his team a place within the final. Went in far too exhausting on Filipe Luis once being engaged in the half and can got to watch the ultimate from the stands.

DF Gerard Pique, 6 -- created some necessary blocks in either 0.5 however was not entirely at the races and mistimed his tackle on Kevin Gameiro for the penalty.

DF Samuel Umtiti, 7 -- accessorial to his resilient show at the Calderon with another defensive masterclass. Cool under pressure and therefore the last man any Atletico player would have wished ahead of them, making a doubtless cup-winning block in injury time.

DF Jordi Alba, 6 -- Less communicative going forward than usual however was terribly reliable at the back, showing experience to jockey Antoine Griezmann once the French person burst towards the box in the primary 0.5.

MF Ivan Rakitic, 5 -- Looked quite nervous, perhaps affected by his spells on the bench and light-weight criticism that has return his manner as a result, shown in a number of miscontrols.

MF Andre Gomes, 6 -- Was Barca's best midfielder in the half, keeping control of the ball underneath pressure and distributing it well. Tired a bit after the break.

MF Denis Suarez, 6 -- contend some nice passes and nearly served up a second goal for his Uruguayan somebody, but neglected his defensive duties, which is why he was the 1st player to be kicked off.

FW Lionel Messi, 7 -- Struggled to break free from Atletico's shackles for abundant of the sport however provided Barca with the crucial foothold of the gap goal by moving past four players, his shot too hot for Miguel Angel Moya to handle.

FW Luis Suarez, 6 -- Met a cruel finish with his second yellow card therefore late within the game once having a crucial role within the tie, from his barnstorming run in the first leg to breaking the dead end here. Will be dearly incomprehensible within the final.

FW Arda Turan, 5 -- proven a sub-standard replacement for the suspended Neymar, who Barca dearly incomprehensible for the pace he provides them on the flanks. Also lost the physical battle against his recent facet.

Substitutes

MF Javier Mascherano, 7 -- Gave the team some abundant required fight once returning on.

MF Sergio Busquets, NR -- Brought on to bring some extra solidity to the team however did not look absolutely work nevertheless.

MF Andres Iniesta, NR -- Returned a bit of identity to the team within the middle and helped guide their counter-attacks.