DUSHANBE, 28.01.2017. /NIAT “Khovar”/. FC Barcelona will play Atletico Madrid In the semifinals of the King’s Cup knockout competition, while Celta Vigo face Alaves in the other tie for a place in the final.

According to the Xinhua news agency, the draw made in Madrid on Friday lunchtime will see Atletico entertain the reigning Cup holders one February 1 with the return leg a week later, while the first leg of the Celta-Alaves tie played in Vigo and the return in Vitoria.

The intense schedule means the four clubs involved will have played a total of six cup games and six matches in the Liga Santander in an intense start to 2017, putting a strain on their squads.

Interestingly Atletico, Alaves and Celta are all coached by Argentineans, with Barcelona boss, Luis Enrique the only Spanish boss involved in the semis.