The draw for the semi-finals of the Spanish King's Cup, which took place today, Friday, resulted in some heavyweight clashes that promise great football excitement, as Barcelona will clash with their stubborn rivals Atletico Madrid in an early final, while the other side of the semi-finals will witness a pure Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.

According to the draw results, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid will host Barcelona in the first leg, scheduled to take place this month in the capital, Madrid, while the Catalan club will host the decisive second leg in March, giving Barcelona a relative advantage by playing the decisive match on their home ground and in front of their fans.

This encounter carries a special historical and revenge-driven character, as it is a repeat of last year's semi-final scenario in the same tournament. Last season, the Catalan team managed to eliminate the "Rojiblancos" after two closely contested and high-scoring matches, ending with an aggregate score of 5-4 in favor of Barcelona, ​​who went on to win the title. This puts additional pressure on Atlético Madrid to try and avenge that defeat this season.

On the other side of the draw, Spanish fans eagerly anticipate a clash no less exciting and competitive, as Athletic Bilbao, renowned for its rich history in the Copa del Rey, hosts its fierce rival Real Sociedad in the first leg at San Mamés Stadium, while the return leg will be played at Sociedad's stadium in March. This encounter is known as the "Basque Derby," one of the oldest and most prestigious derbies in the history of Spanish football, where the rivalry transcends the pitch to reflect the pride of the Basque Country.

This season's Copa del Rey semi-finals hold immense strategic importance for all the participating teams. For Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, the cup represents a golden opportunity to salvage their season with a prestigious domestic title amidst fierce competition in La Liga. As for the Basque clubs, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, reaching the final is a historic dream for their fans, especially since Athletic Bilbao is historically the second most successful club in the competition's history after Barcelona and always strives to reaffirm its dominance in this tournament.

The matches are expected to witness a high level of tactical and technical competition, given the close levels and extensive experience of the coaches of the four teams, making it extremely difficult to predict the identity of the two finalists in light of these exciting circumstances.

In a surprising development that has shaken Moroccan and Arab sporting circles, multiple media reports indicate that national team coach Walid Regragui has officially resigned from his position at the helm of the "Atlas Lions." This shocking news comes at a highly critical time, less than four months before the start of the World Cup, jeopardizing the team's stability.

According to sources close to the decision, Regragui's decision not to continue in his role was not impulsive, but rather the result of accumulated pressures and immense strain related to upcoming commitments. Reports indicate that the weight of expectations and responsibility placed upon him led him to make the decision to step down, leaving the ball in the court of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

A golden era and high expectations

The news of the resignation cannot be viewed in isolation from the historic achievements of Walid Regragui with the Moroccan national team. This young coach made history during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, leading the Atlas Lions to become the first Arab and African team to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. This unprecedented achievement raised the expectations of Moroccan fans to record levels, making any setback or inconsistency in performance a source of intense criticism and pressure.

Sensitive timing and risks of change

This resignation—if officially confirmed—gains its significance from its sensitive timing. Changing the coaching staff just months before a global event the size of the World Cup is a risky gamble that could negatively impact team cohesion and the tactical plans that have been developed over years. This scenario is reminiscent of previous changes to the national team's coaching staff, but the current situation is different due to Regragui's strong relationship with the players and the fans.

The decision rests with the Royal University

As of now, the final decision rests with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, headed by Fouzi Lekjaa. Regragui's fate and the future of the national team will depend on whether his resignation is accepted or rejected, and on attempts to persuade the coach to reconsider his decision in order to maintain the team's stability at this critical juncture. Moroccan fans are awaiting an official statement clarifying the situation and putting an end to the speculation that could negatively impact the players' morale and their preparations for the upcoming World Cup.

Al-Riyadh FC, a Saudi Arabian club competing in the Saudi Professional League, officially announced the termination of its contract with Iraqi playmaker Ibrahim Bayesh during the current winter transfer window. This decision comes as part of the club's efforts to restructure the team and seek alternative options to bolster the squad for the remainder of the season.

Details of Ibrahim Bayesh's departure from Riyadh

The 25-year-old Iraqi star joined Al-Riyadh in the summer of 2014 amid high expectations that he would be a strong addition to the Riyadh-based club's attack, given his impressive technical abilities and international experience. Despite these hopes, statistics accompanying the news report indicate that Baish only made one appearance for Al-Riyadh this season, prompting his decision to leave during the winter transfer window in search of a new opportunity.

Al-Riyadh Club's position in the Roshan League

The decision to release Baish comes at a critical time for Al-Riyadh, who currently sit in 16th place in the Saudi Professional League standings with only 12 points. This precarious position puts them in danger of relegation, making it imperative for the management and coaching staff to utilize the winter transfer window effectively to strengthen the squad with players capable of lifting the team out of the relegation zone and securing their place in the top flight.

Ibrahim Bayesh's career and his regional importance

Ibrahim Bayesh is one of the most prominent names in Iraqi football in recent years, having contributed effectively to the "Lions of Mesopotamia" national team in numerous international and regional tournaments. He played a key role in Iraq's victory in the Gulf Cup (Gulf 25) held in Basra. The presence of Iraqi players in the Saudi league reflects the significant development in sporting relations between the two countries and the high level of competition in the Roshan League, which has become a destination for the continent's and the world's top stars.

The importance of the winter transfer window for struggling clubs

The winter transfer window is of paramount importance for clubs struggling with poor results, such as Al-Riyadh. Changes to the foreign player roster are often the quickest way to get back on track. The coming days are expected to see intensive activity from the Riyadh-based club's management to compensate for the departure of Baish with new signings that meet the fans' expectations and help the team improve its position in the league standings, given the fierce competition in the Saudi league this season.