One blinked and found himself transported to Sunday. He narrowed his eyes and witnessed a clash between teams dressed in different colors. However, this was not the same matchup, nor was it the same venue, and the outcome was entirely different. It was Wednesday, and instead of three points at stake, a title was on the line. As Cholo puts it, this was just the beginning of a long and decisive battle, a premature final between the former King of Cups and the one who aspires to be crowned as the new King of this tournament. And as it stands, the reigning King still holds his crown. [Narrative and statistics: (0-1)]

From the first minute, Cholo’s soldiers were on a quest for the coveted crown. They launched two attacks in rapid succession, both ending in frustration. Five minutes later, Athletic made their way into Oblak’s territory and unleashed a shot from a center-back outside the box. It was a game filled with intensity, as both teams sought to establish dominance. You can talk about physicality, fatigue, and rest all you want, but when there’s determination involved…

The first half was characterized by a fast-paced game, although both sides lacked penetration. The teams tested each other’s defenses, waiting for an opportunity to strike. And then, Reinildo made a monumental mistake. The Mozambican made a risky run along the edge of his own penalty area, with Iñaki sensing blood. Reinildo managed to clear the ball, but Bilbao’s players were quick to pounce. They recovered the ball in the final third, which eventually reached Prados inside the box. To make matters worse for Reinildo, he committed a foul on the Navarrese midfielder, resulting in a penalty and a red card. Berenguer converted the penalty, leaving Cholo exposed and vulnerable on a cold night.

Appearance of Walls

Agirrezabala nearly returned the favor to Atlético ten minutes later. By the way, those ten minutes were uneventful, with nothing of note occurring. The Basque goalkeeper attempted to prevent a corner after a deflection from his defense, but the ball slipped through his fingers and landed at Memphis’ feet while the 23-year-old was grounded. However, Paredes intervened and made a miraculous save to prevent the Dutchman from scoring.

During the first half, Atlético sought an equalizer thanks to De Paul’s contributions. The Argentine has shown significant improvement this season, displaying his versatility, tenacity, and strategic play. He came close to assisting Griezmann with a cleverly taken free-kick just before half-time. Unfortunately, the Frenchman’s angled shot was blocked by Bilbao’s impenetrable defense, which was flawless throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Athletic Club had gone nearly fifty years without defeating Atlético de Madrid in the Copa del Rey. They arrived at half-time, dispelling their demons and playing with authority. However, Atlético was determined not to let history repeat itself, and they made their intentions clear right after the break. The first five minutes belonged to Bilbao, with two of those minutes being spent in the Atlético penalty area. Griezmann protested for a penalty that could have been given.

Lino’s Push

One of the catalysts for Atlético’s attacks was Samu Lino. Earlier in the season, Simeone alternated him with Riquelme, both performing admirably. However, lately, the Brazilian has stepped up his game and become an indispensable part of Cholo’s plans and the team’s attacking force. He not only adds depth to the squad but also excels in duels, a quality that Simeone greatly appreciates.

Despite Atlético’s offensive efforts, it was Athletic who came close to sealing the deal after Oblak made a rare mistake, weakly clearing a shot by Unai Gómez. Villalibre pounced on the rebound like a wild buffalo, but his shot hit the side of the net. A two-goal advantage, which the lions secured during their league encounter, seemed almost insurmountable with only thirty minutes left to play.

The Metropolitano Stadium erupted with roars of encouragement for Atlético, who continued to press forward. However, Athletic patiently waited for their opportunity to counterattack. It nearly arrived when Iñaki failed to make the right decision quickly enough. Valverde’s men had a dream gameplan, which also involved a seemingly subdued and unknown Griezmann. But it only takes a moment for the Frenchman to awaken from his slumber. Unfortunately, that moment did not come.

Despite their relentless siege, Atlético lacked the touch of efficiency. They displayed intensity, pressure, and clarity in their attacks, but the elusive goal remained out of reach. Morata squandered a golden chance, reminiscent of Sadiq’s missed opportunities on Tuesday. With only the keeper to beat and a well-placed cross from Hermoso, Morata kneeled down and sent the ball soaring into the sky. Then, a scramble in the box miraculously fell into Agirrezabala’s waiting hands. In the end, their relentless push could have been rewarded if it hadn’t been for Morata’s knee. Offside and a first-round victory for the Bilbao faithful.