BARCELONA ultas gave a less-than-warm welcome to the Atletico Madrid team ahead of the Copa del Rey clash.
The Madrid-based side arrived at the Spotify boasting a 4-0 aggregate lead from the first-leg of the semi-final.
Barcelona fans lit flares to welcome the Atletico Madrid team busCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
They gave a hostile welcome to the visiting teamCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
The home supporters did their best to try and distract the focus of the players as they arrived on the team bus.
Thousands of fans lined the streets to welcome the team buses of both sides before the match.
But ultras from reportedly ‘attacked’ the rivals’ bus and left it with a smashed window.
Marca claim that “local hooligans” threw missiles at the bus carrying manager Diego Simone and his players.
It added that one of the objects thrown broke the window of the vehicle amid the chaos.
This was despite riot police lining the streets to try to keep order and the players safe.
However, claims have been made that the majority of the Catalan police were stationed at the gate that the Barcelona team entered through.
The Atletico bus went through a different gate which was less protected, leaving them as an “easy target”.
Videos from outside the ground show fans letting off flares and chanting to create an intimidating atmosphere.
Barcelona fans chanted “Yes we can! Yes we can” at their own team to motivate them ahead of the match.
The message was in reference to the daunting task of trying to overturn the four-goal margin.
Speaking ahead of the game, manager said: “We are four goals behind and we have to make the impossible possible.”
“That is the objective. It’s not easy. However, we will not give up.
Barcelona were unable to overturn the four-goal deficitCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Atletico progressed to the final on April 18Credit: Getty
“It is important to keep a clean sheet, but we must believe in our strength and that we can achieve it.
“You must always believe. For example, in each half we need to score two goals.”
Barcelona suffered heartbreak as they managed to get within one goal to level the tie.
Marc Bernal netted a brace with one goal coming either side of a penalty from former star .
But the 3-0 win was not enough as Atletico progressed to the Copa del Rey final.
Simone’s side will face either Athletic Bilbao or Real Sociedad in the final on April 18.
Sociedad have the advantage in the tie, having won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a goal from Benat Turrientes.
Barcelona suffered another blow on the night as right-backs and both hobbled off injured.
Newcastle will be getting weaker ahead of their meeting on March 10.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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