The best game of the season?! FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid draw level in an eight-goal thriller in the Copa del Rey

Alexander Sørloth's late winner secured a stunning 4-4 draw for Atlético Madrid. (Image credits - FMT, License Details)

FC Barcelona's encounter with Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey ended with a staggering scoreline of 4-4, which turned out to be an absolute treat for the fans. 

Both Barcelona and Atlético showed incredible resilience to fight for a draw, with both teams securing comebacks at different stages of the game.

Diego Simeone’s men managed to stun the hosts when they opened the scoring within the very first minute of the game itself, with Julian Alvarez’s “ghost-like" arrival catching the Barcelona defenders out. 

Just a few minutes later, Alvarez found Griezmann with a brilliant pass, who doubled Atlético’s lead by beating Szczesny with ease in a one-on-one situation.

The Catalan giants were shocked just 10 minutes into the game by being 2 goals down already. 

However, a moment of magic from Lamine Yamal, who produced a brilliant trivela pass to Kounde, who laid it off to Pedri for an easy tap-in to start Barca’s incredible turnaround.

Just two minutes later, Raphinha’s corner kick was met by Pau Cubrasi, who equalised the game for the hosts in just a span of 4 minutes.

As the first half was nearing its end, Raphinha pulled off yet another brilliant swinging cross that was headed in by an unmarked Inigo Martinez, completing the first comeback of the game.

The Catalans were cruising with a two-goal lead, with only ten minutes left to play when Marcos Llorente pulled one back for the visitors. 

Flick's side got nervous and became shabby at the back after the Llorente goal, which allowed Alexander Sørloth to shrug aside the Barça defence, following a huge error from Kounde, to an easy tap-in to bring the game on level terms in the 90+4th minute.

This was the second ‘remontada' that turned the game on its head, making it arguably the best clash of the current season so far.

Marc Casado’s importance in Flick's system at Barcelona 

Barcelona were cruising against Atlético and looked to seal the deal in the first half itself. 

However, poor defensive resilience in the closing stages of the game hurt them badly, leading to them falling short despite being so close to the finishing line.

Hansi Flick subbed on Gavi in the final few minutes, who struggled to keep the ball while also losing defensive duels, allowing Atlético Madrid to take advantage and punish the Culers.

Gavi’s struggling cameo highlighted Marc Casado's importance to Hansi Flick’s system. 

The young midfielder has been brilliant on the ball this season, using his physicality and his defensive awareness to pull strings for the Catalan giants in the midfield. 

The midfield trio of Pedri, De Jong, and Casado seems to suit Flick's system the best, providing a mix of experience, flair, and control in the middle of the park. 

Had the German coach brought on the 21-year-old instead of Gavi last night, the result could have possibly been very different.

The two sides will meet again on 17th March at the Wanda Metropolitano in what could potentially be the title-deciding result in La Liga, with Atlético Madrid being just a point behind Barcelona in the points table at the moment.