Playing well and with confidence, Atletico looked poised for a deep run in the Champions League, and was holding steady at the top of the Spanish league, in position to fight for both titles. First it was a penalty shootout loss to Real Madrid in the round of 16 in the Champions League last Wednesday,

On matchweek 28, Kylian Mbappe's brace led Real Madrid to a gutsy comeback win over Villareal to keep the pace at the top. But the most significant result came a day later, as Barcelona came back from a two goal deficit to defeat title rivals Atlético Madrid.

The teams drew 4-4 in Barcelona in the first match last month, when Atletico was losing 4-2 until the 84th. Madrid and Real Sociedad are in the other semifinal, with Madrid having won 1-0 away in the first leg.