Atletico Madrid will begin their bid to win their 11th King's Cup trophy when they face sixth-tier Vic on Thursday.
The hosts are looking forward to welcoming Diego Simeone‘s side to the Hipolit Planas Stadium after successfully negotiating a preliminary round tie against Sporting Mahon.
Match preview
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Vic secured their place in the preliminary round via their third-placed finish in the Lliga Elit – a league based in the autonomous community of Catalonia.
After sealing a spot in the Copa del Rey, Vic made light work of their preliminary round tie against Sporting Mahon to progress to the first round.
Marti Riera, Gil Bertrana, Marcel Bellido and Arnau Prat all got on the scoresheet to fire Vic to a 4-0 home victory, setting up a dream tie against La Liga giants Atletico.
The sixth-tier side will be full of confidence after collecting 16 points from six matches to move three points clear at the top of the Lliga Elit.
In fact, they have avoided defeat in all nine of their competitive games this season, ensuring that they will carry an air of confidence into Thursday’s cup fixture.
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Atletico have experienced an underwhelming campaign, having failed to meet their high expectations in La Liga and the Champions League.
Their La Liga title hopes are already hanging by a thread, with Atleti currently sitting in fourth place and 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona after winning five, drawing five and losing one of their 11 league matches.
Atletico’s first La Liga defeat of the season took place in Sunday’s away clash against Real Betis, with a Jose Maria Gimenez own goal proving enough to separate the two sides.
Meanwhile, in the Champions League, Atletico are languishing in 27th place after drawing one and losing two of their opening three matches of the league phase.
With Atleti struggling in La Liga and the Champions League, they may view the Copa del Rey as the best chance to clinch silverware this season as they prepare to start their bid to win the competition for the first time since 2012-13.
Although they have won just one of their last five away games, Atletico will be the overwhelming favourites to see off their sixth-tier opponents in Thursday’s clash in Catalonia.
Vic Copa del Rey form:
Vic form (all competitions):
Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):
Team News
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Vic manager Ramonet may decide to name a back five of Neil Pradas, From Bofill, Roger CunillBertrana and David Busquets.
At the opposite end of the pitch, 20-year-old striker Ignasi Quer is set to be given the tough task of leading the line against Atletico.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Robin Le Normand, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pablo Barrios and Marcos Llorente.
Defender Clement Lenglet is closing in on a return to fitness, but he is unlikely to be risked in Thursday’s cup fixture.
Simeone will take the opportunity to make wholesale changes, with Juan Musso, Ilias Kostis, Javi Galan, Thomas Lemar and Giuliano Simeone among those who could be considered for a starting spot.
There is also the possibility that Simeone will hand debuts to defender Geronimo Spina and midfielder Confess to Gismera.
Vic possible starting lineup:
Mulberry; Pradas, Cunill, Bertrana, Bofill, Busquets; Armengou, Serra, P. Quer, Riera; I. Want
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Musso; Spina, Kostis, Reinildo; Riquelme, Gismera, Koke, Lemar, Galan; Simeone, Correa
We say: Vic 0-5 Atletico Madrid
Atletico may be low on confidence after losing three of their last five matches in all competitions, but they will have a significant quality advantage over their sixth-tier opponents, and we believe that they will sweep past Vic to sail into the next round.
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