Atlético Madrid embarks on its Copa del Rey campaign today, facing Segunda RFEF side Atlético Baleares in a fixture fraught with historical peril for top-tier teams. The match, played under a heavy downpour in Majadahonda, comes as Diego Simeone’s squad contends with key absences including Marcos Llorente, Rodri de Paul, and José María Giménez. This opening encounter is particularly significant given Atlético Baleares’ recent stunning upset of La Liga’s Espanyol in the previous round, a result that underscores the unpredictable nature of Spain’s domestic cup competition.

Atlético Baleares enters the tie with considerable momentum, having already demonstrated their “giant-killing” capabilities. Their impressive victory over Espanyol, a team performing strongly in La Liga, served as a stark reminder of the passion and determination that lower-division clubs bring to the Copa del Rey. This triumph has undoubtedly fueled expectations among their fans and provides a template for how they might approach the challenge of facing another La Liga powerhouse.

For Atlético Madrid, the Copa del Rey has, in recent years, been a source of significant frustration despite past glories. The club has endured several humiliating exits at the hands of ostensibly weaker opponents, underscoring the tournament’s unique challenges. In 2020, Cultural Leonesa engineered a remarkable comeback in the round of 32, forcing extra time with an 82nd-minute goal before sealing a 2-1 victory in the 107th minute.

Just a year later, the Rojiblancos faced an even more dramatic exit, succumbing to Cornellá, then a Segunda División B side. Cornellá took an early lead, which Atlético Madrid proved unable to overcome, leading to their elimination. These recent setbacks highlight the potential pitfalls of the single-elimination format, where a single lapse in concentration or an inspired performance from the opposition can prove fatal, as manager Diego Simeone has frequently cautioned.

Simeone, addressing the media, emphasized the inherent difficulties of the Copa del Rey, describing it as a “complex” and “lethal” tournament. “You have to understand the competition, it is complex. In fact, it always is, with a lot of difficulty, their enthusiasm, their excitement,” he stated. He further warned against complacency, noting that “there is also little interest from some teams and, when you realise, it’s too late, you can’t react and there is only one match at the rival’s ground.”

The Argentine coach also expressed profound respect for his upcoming opponent, Atlético Baleares, acknowledging their strong performance against Espanyol. “We are going to face a team that played a very good match against Espanyol. Espanyol, in the league, is doing very, very well, so, more than that, it is very clear,” Simeone affirmed. This recognition signals that Atlético Madrid is approaching the tie with the necessary caution, aware of the threat posed by the islanders.

As is customary for top-flight teams in the early rounds of the Copa del Rey, Atlético Madrid is expected to implement significant squad rotations. This strategy aims to manage player fatigue and provide opportunities for squad members who have seen less playing time in league fixtures. Supporters anticipate seeing players such as Javi Galán, Nahuel Almada, Giacomo Raspadori, and Juan Musso potentially feature in the starting XI at the Estadio Balear. Johnny Cardoso, however, remains a doubt due to a recent injury relapse sustained during the recent match against Barcelona.

Among the potential starters is Carlos Martín, a product of Atlético’s esteemed academy since the age of six. After a successful loan spell at Alavés last season, the young winger was retained by Simeone, despite speculation of another departure. Although he has only recorded one minute of official competition this season, his impressive goal in a recent friendly against Inter Milan in Libya showcased his potential and underlined why the club chose to keep him within the first-team setup.

Simeone highlighted the value of integrating academy players into the senior squad, citing past successes like Koke, Fernando Torres, Saúl, and Pablo Barrios. “It’s good to have players from the academy. They bring passages of what has been lived in this club… They always bring energy,” Simeone explained when discussing Martín’s role. This approach reflects the club’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and providing them with pathways to the first team, even in high-stakes cup fixtures.

While recent Copa del Rey campaigns have seen Atlético Madrid stumble, the club also boasts a rich history in the competition, with memorable triumphs in 1996 and 2013 marking their most recent conquests. These past glories serve as a reminder of the club’s pedigree, yet also underscore the pressure to navigate the early rounds successfully and avoid a repeat of recent “nightmares” on smaller, artificial pitches packed with expectant rival fans.

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Keywords: Atlético Madrid, Copa del Rey, Atlético Baleares, Diego Simeone, Copa del Rey upsets, Spanish football, Squad rotation, Carlos Martín