Copa Del Rey -Semi-Final first leg
Result: Atletico Madrid 1-2 FC Barcelona
Date: 01 February 2017
Venue: Vicente Calderon
First-half goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez handed FC Barcelona a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
Samuel Umtiti and Jordi Laba returned to the Barcelona defence, while Andre Gomes and Javier Mascherano were brought into the midfield.
The visitors broke the deadlock after seven minutes as Suarez skipped past two challenges, before calmly slotting past Miguel Moya.
Barcelona could have doubled their lead in the 25th minute when Suarez picked out Neymar in the box, but the Brazilian failed to convert from close range.
Luis Enrique's charges eventually doubled their lead in the 33rd minute, as Messi collected a pass from Ivan Rakitic, before firing into the top corner from 20-yards out.
Atletico opted for a change at the start of the second half, as Fernando Torres replaced Sime Vrsaljko.
The home side had the chance to pull a goal back in the 51st minute when Saul Niguez surged into the box, however Alba popped up with a fine tackle to deny a certain goal.
Atletico did manage to reduce the deficit in the 59th minute as Antoine Griezmann converted from close range, after Diego Godin knocked the ball into the danger zone.
Messi nearly added a third goal in the in the 77th minute but Moya produced a stunning save to tip the Argentine's effort over the crossbar.
Atletico nearly leveled matters in the 89th minute, but Griezmann fired inches wide of the upright as Barcelona managed to hold on for the win and will now take a slight advantage into the second leg.
