Atlético Madrid and Getafe Clash in Crucial Copa del Rey Derby

MADRID, Spain — Atlético Madrid and Getafe faced off in a high-stakes Copa del Rey quarterfinal match on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. The derby, played just days before Atlético’s LaLiga clash with Real Madrid, carried significant weight as both teams vied for a spot in the semifinals of Spain’s premier knockout tournament.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone fielded a strong lineup, including key players Antoine Griezmann, Rodrigo De Paul, and Nahuel Molina, despite an upcoming league derby. Griezmann, fresh off a goal-scoring performance against Mallorca, was expected to play a pivotal role. Meanwhile, Getafe coach José Bordalás made eight changes to his starting XI, opting to rest top scorer Borja Mayoral and introducing new signings Bernat and Terrats.

The match marked the second meeting between the two Madrid-based clubs this season. Their previous encounter in December 2024 saw Getafe’s Alexander Sørloth score the decisive goal in a tightly contested LaLiga match. Historically, Getafe has struggled against Atlético, with their last away victory dating back to May 2010, when they won 3-0 at the Vicente Calderón Stadium.

Bordalás acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “We know the difficulties of facing Atlético, especially with their full squad available.” Getafe entered the match in strong form, unbeaten in six games across all competitions in 2025, including Copa del Rey victories over Granada and Pontevedra.

Atletico, on the other hand, aimed to continue their Copa del Rey campaign after defeating Marbella and Elche earlier in the tournament. Simeone emphasized the importance of the match, saying, “Every game is a final for us, and we approach it with that mentality.”

The stakes were high for both teams, with Atlético seeking to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2013, when they last won the competition. Getafe, meanwhile, hoped to replicate their historic 2010 performance and secure a rare victory on Atlético’s home turf.