On a night of electrifying football at the Civitas Metropolitano stadium, Atlético Madrid pulled off a major upset, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie on Thursday evening. This emphatic win puts Los Rojiblancos on the verge of the final, making the task significantly more difficult for the Catalan club in the return leg.

The first half saw an unexpected defensive collapse from Barcelona, ​​turning the match into a goal fest for the home side. The Catalan disaster began very early, specifically in the sixth minute, when defender Eric Garcia scored an own goal, disrupting the visitors' plans from the outset. Atlético gave their opponents no respite, as French star Antoine Griezmann doubled the lead in the 14th minute, exploiting the gaps in his former team's defense.

The Madrid onslaught continued, with Nigerian Ademola Lookman adding a third goal in the 33rd minute, much to the dismay of the Barcelona fans. Just before the referee blew the whistle for halftime, Argentine star Julián Álvarez completed the rout in the second minute of added time, giving Atlético Madrid a commanding lead that effectively sealed the match in the first 45 minutes.

This match takes on special significance within the context of Spanish domestic competition, as the Copa del Rey is one of the most prestigious tournaments that La Liga's top clubs strive to win. A heavy defeat places immense pressure on Barcelona's coaching staff and players, as overcoming a four-goal deficit against a defensively solid team like Atlético Madrid seems almost impossible in modern football, although the beautiful game is known for its unpredictability.

The decisive second leg between the two teams is scheduled for next March at Barcelona's stadium. The Catalan side will need a historic comeback and a footballing miracle to overturn the deficit and secure qualification, while Atlético will enter the match with a comfortable advantage and a tactical approach designed to maintain their lead from the first leg and reach the dream final.

Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, manager of Al-Hilal's first football team, has decided to make significant changes to the starting lineup in preparation for the upcoming match against Al-Ettifaq. Al-Hilal will host Al-Ettifaq in a highly anticipated clash as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, at the Kingdom Arena, the new home ground of the Riyadh-based club.

The defensive trio returns to bolster the back line

Inzaghi has finalized his decision to reinstate three key players to the starting lineup to ensure defensive solidity and tactical balance. The coach opted to start international defender Hassan Tambakti at the heart of the defense, bolstering the back line against opposition attacks. In a tactical move to compensate for forced absences, the coaching staff selected Mutaib Al-Harbi to fill the left-back position, replacing the injured star Theo Hernandez. The right flank also sees the return of Hamad Al-Yami to the starting eleven, providing the team with diverse attacking and defensive options on both wings.

Theo Hernandez's absence and its impact

This forced change on the left flank comes as a result of the confirmed absence of professional player Theo Hernandez from the Al-Ettifaq match, due to an injury he sustained recently. This injury has kept the player out of group training and recent matches, both domestically and in continental competitions, prompting Inzaghi to search for a ready replacement to maintain the team's upward trajectory.

The importance of the match in the Roshan League race

This match is of paramount importance to Al-Hilal, as the team seeks to continue its winning streak and strong performances in the Roshan League this season. A victory against Al-Ettifaq would be a significant step towards consolidating the team's position at the top of the standings or in the fierce competition for the title, especially as the competition enters its decisive stages where dropping points is unacceptable. Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq are always fiercely contested, making securing the three points a demand from both fans and management to ensure technical stability.

The home advantage and the crowd at Kingdom Arena

Al-Hilal is counting heavily on home advantage and the support of its fans at the Kingdom Arena, which has become an additional strength for the team thanks to its world-class facilities and the vibrant atmosphere that accompanies matches. Inzaghi understands that the fans' support will be crucial in motivating the players, especially those returning to the starting lineup, to give their best and overcome the difficult challenge posed by Al-Ettifaq.

Sources from “Al-Midan Al-Riyadi” revealed the latest developments within the corridors of Al-Shabab Club, where the final date was set for the veteran Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri over the technical leadership of the first football team, succeeding the Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil.

Details of the agreement and the official delivery date

Informed sources confirmed that Al-Leith's management has finalized all legal and financial procedures with the Algerian coach, Ben Zekri. He officially signed his contract to coach the team after agreeing to all contractual terms. Ben Zekri is scheduled to officially begin his duties after the team's upcoming match against Al-Ahli, which will take place today. The current coach, Ghawasil, will lead the team for the last time in this match before handing the reins to the new coach.

Reasons for artistic change among young people

The decision by Al-Shabab's management to part ways with Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil came as a result of the team's significant decline in performance recently, both in domestic competitions in the Saudi Professional League and in continental tournaments. The management felt the team needed a technical overhaul and a change in tactical approach to salvage the season and get back on track to compete for the top positions befitting the prestigious history of the Riyadh-based club.

The return of the "man of difficult missions" to the Saudi League

The signing of Noureddine Benzekri is a strategic move by Al-Shabab's management, given the Algerian coach's extensive experience in Saudi football. Benzekri is known in Saudi sporting circles as "the man for tough jobs" and "the giant killer," having previously achieved notable successes with clubs such as Damac, Al-Fayha, and Al-Raed. Benzekri is distinguished by his strong personality and ability to instill a fighting spirit in his players, in addition to his high level of tactical discipline – qualities Al-Shabab needs at this critical juncture to rebuild the team and restore its former glory.

Challenges await Ben Zekri in the Roshan League

Ben Zekri's task will not be easy, as he takes over at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing tremendous development and fierce competition, boasting a host of world-class stars. The Algerian coach will have to work quickly to address the defensive errors that have plagued the team recently and find a winning attacking formula. Al-Shabab fans are eagerly anticipating that Ben Zekri will be able to optimally utilize the current players' abilities, drawing on his previous experience in dealing with the pressures and unpredictability of the Saudi league, to bring the "Sheikh of Clubs" back to the forefront of the competition.