Atletico Madrid, who are currently atop the La Liga points table, have been one of the standout teams in Spain and are keen to continue their amazing run when they face Rayo Vallecano in the round of 16 at Estadio Del Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
On the contrary, Rayo Vallecano have been one of the weakest teams in the La Liga, struggling in the relegation zone with four wins and 11 losses. Compare this record to Madrid's 13 wins and three losses, and it explains the humongous task for the home team, who will need their star player Javi Guerra to score and help Rayo defeat Atletico.
In Guerra, they have a striker to open up defences, but they need their other players to also come up with their A-game to shock Atletico Madrid, which looks improbable considering the home side's poor record of late: They have lost five of their last six games, including an embarrassing 10-2 defeat against Real Madrid.
Rayo Vallecano have been awful in their defence as they have failed to return a clean sheet in their last six games as well. However, coach Paco Jemez has taken the blame on himself for such underperformance.
"Everyone is responsible for the team's decline, first of all me. We can't be conceding goals as we are," Goal quoted Jemez as saying. "It's a haemorrhage we're bleeding from. Our defensive capability is suited to the wrong division."
Atletico Madrid are in a different mood altogether, playing exquisite football. Their fans have also begun to dream about the treble, which at present seems too far ahead, but there is no harm in being positive.
With the quality of football they have shown this season and if their players sustain it in the coming months, a treble could be achievable. Apart from Copa Del Rey and La Liga, they have reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League as well.
However, players such as Thomas Parety simply want to concentrate on the Copa del Rey match against Rayo at present.
"We're just thinking about the next game against Rayo in the Copa del Rey. That's the most important thing for the team," Parety told Atletico's official website. "We have to fight to get the team as far as possible in every competition we play."
Where to watch live
Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Copa del Rey live match is scheduled for 10:30 pm local time (3 am IST, 9:30 pm GMT, 4:30 pm ET) start. There is no live coverage of the Copa Del Rey match in India.
Viewers in the UK can watch Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid live on La Liga TV Copa while Spain viewers can watch the game live on Movistar TV Futbol.
Bein Sports will provide live coverage of Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid Copa del Rey live match in the US with the live stream option on beIN Sports Connect.
