In a shocking Copa del Rey semi-final match, FC Barcelona, under the management of Hansi Flick, faced a staggering 0-4 defeat against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium. This loss marks one of the worst performances for Barça in the past two decades, with the only worse result coming against Bayern Munich. The defeat places the title defenders in a precarious position as they head into the return leg at Camp Nou, where they will need an extraordinary comeback to advance to the final.

The match began tumultuously for Barcelona, with defender Eric initiating their woes by scoring an own goal in the 7th minute. As the first half progressed, Atletico Madrid capitalized on Barça's vulnerabilities, with Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, and Julián Álvarez each finding the net, effectively sealing the game before the half-time whistle. Compounding Barcelona's struggles, Eric received a red card in the 85th minute for a last-man tackle, further diminishing their chances of mounting a comeback.

Looking ahead to the return leg scheduled for March 3 at Camp Nou, the atmosphere will be rife with tension as Barcelona not only strives to overturn a significant deficit but also grapples with the reality of their current form under Flick. The return match will be critical not just for the fate of their Copa del Rey campaign but for Flick's tenure at the club, as the pressure mounts to restore Barcelona's standing in Spanish football and secure crucial victories to stave off early exits in key competitions.