Atletico Madrid to face Barcelona in Copa del Rey semis

Atletico Madrid will face Barcelona, while Celta Vigo will meet Deportivo Alaves in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey football tournament, according to the draw held here on Friday.

Barcelona will visit Atletico's Vicente Calderon stadium in the first leg on February 1 and the second leg will be played in the Camp Nou stadium of the Catalan giants on February 8, reports Efe.

Celta will host the first leg in Balaidos and then visit the Basque team in the Mendizorrotza.

The last time Barcelona had to face Atletico in the Copa del Rey was in the quarter-final of the 2014-2015 season, when the Catalans won 1-0 at home and 3-2 away.

The Rojiblancos are hoping to reach their 20th Copa del Rey final and subsequently win their 11th title, while defending champions Barcelona are seeking the 29th title, already holding the record for most Copa del Rey titles.

Celta Vigo will play for the semi-finals for the second consecutive season, eliminated last year by Sevilla, who ended up losing the final to Barcelona.

Alaves, who qualified for the semi-finals for the first time in 13 years, eliminated in the quarter-final Alcorcon, the only team of second division that remained in the competition.

--IANS

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