Atletico Madrid are headed to its first Copa Del Rey Final since 2013.
Diego Simeone’s side avoided a late collapse at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, holding off Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate despite losing Tuesday’s second leg 3-0. American midfielder Johnny Cardoso started and played the full 90 minutes for Atletico Madrid, continuing his positive run in the squad.
It marked the first time this season that Cardoso has made four-consecutive starts.
Barcelona trimmed the aggregate deficit in half before halftime thanks to goals from Marc Bernal and Raphinha.
Bernal added his second goal of the match with 18 minutes to play, making it 3-0 Barcelona on the night and moving the hosts only goal back from forcing extra time. However, Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Musso stood tall to deny Barcelona from finding a late equalizer.
Musso finished the match with six saves, remaining in between the posts over No. 1 goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Cardoso made five clearances, four interceptions, and won two duels from his midfield position.
Atletico Madrid will await the winner of the Real Sociedad-Athletic Bilbao series, with the Copa Del Rey Final taking place on April 18.
Cardoso seems to have secured a regular spot with AM now. Considering that they are pretty consistently the 3rd best team in the league and probably among the top dozen in Europe, this is a very meaningful achievement. I think he definitely needs to called in for this month’s friendlies.
He has to do something with it if it comes though. He’s been either average to down right awful for the NT (Switzerland, Türkiye, Colombia). Also he hasn’t been able to stay healthy for more than 4 games in a row this season.
JR,
At least Johnny is trending upward.
If he gets called in and does well in the friendlies and goes back and finishes the season doing well……. then all should forgiven.
After all, what have you done for me lately, is always a powerful variable.. He’s done enough to at least get on that 35-55 provisional list.