Barcelona will look to settle scores with Atletico Madrid as they look to move one step closer to retaining the UEFA Champions League this season. The first leg held at the Camp Nou ended with Barcelona clinching the tie 2-1 courtesy of a Luis Suarez double.
Diego Simeone’s men will, however, hope Barcelona take their blip in form from La Liga into the game, as they look to overturn the deficit and shock the reigning champions.
Barcelona having rested several players at the weekend, albeit at the cost of a loss to Real Sociedad in the league, will look to make the decision count as they look to take the Vicente Calderon by storm.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Ten Action (Now Known as Ten 2)
Date and Time: 14 April 2016, 12.15 AM IST
Venue: Vicente Calderon, Madrid
Live Streaming: Tensports.com
Betting Odds: Atletico Madrid: 21/10; Draw: 5/2; Barcelona: 11/8
Team News
Atletico Madrid
Jose Gimenez continues to be a doubt for the game and Lucas Hernandez is on standby to take his place. Fernando Torres is unavailable for the game after being sent off in the first leg which means Diego Simeone may need to play Angel Correa to retain his recently deployed 4-3-3 formation.
Barcelona
Barcelona, travel to the Vicente Calderon without Rafinha who has suffered a hamstring problem and Jeremy Mathieu still out with an injury. Sandro Ramirez is also unavailable for the game.
Luis Enrique will look to fielding a full strength team otherwise with Luis Suarez very importantly being put back into the starting line-up. Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano are both one yellow card away from a ban.
Probable Line-ups
Atletico Madrid (4-3-3): Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Hernandez, Luis; Gabi, Koke, Niguez; Griezmann, Correa, Carrasco
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter-Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Form
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s men step into the Vicente Calderon with decent form from their last five games consisting of a draw, two losses and two wins. The losses came in the first leg of this very tie and in the La Liga against Sporting Gijon. Simeone’s men, however, won their weekend fixture in La Liga against Espanyol.
Last 5 Matches: D-L-W-L-W (Last match: Espanyol 1-3 Atletico Madrid)
Barcelona
For the first time this season, Barcelona enter a game on the back of some really indifferent form and that too against an opponent like Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona may have beaten Atletico in the Champions League but they are winless in La Liga for three games running having drawn to Villareal and lost to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad back to back. Luis Enrique’s men will look to behind the minor loss in form behind them in this game.
Last 5 Matches: W-D-L-W-L (Last match: Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona)
Key Stats:
- Barcelona have won their last 7 games against Atletico Madrid in all competitions.
- Lionel Messi has gone 362 minutes without scoring in all competitions.
- Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in each of their last 3 matches against Atletico Madrid in all competitions.
- Atletico Madrid have scored 11 goals in their last 4 home matches.
Key Battles:
Luis Suarez vs Diego Godin
Luis Suarez in his last outing dominated the Atletico Madrid defence as he ran the game with his brace which eventually gave Atletico the lead. Diego Godin couldn’t keep the measure of his fellow Uruguayan and will look to change all of that on the night.
Godin may well be without his partner Gimenez again and will need to guide young Lucas Hernandez again as Atletico look to overturn the deficit from the Camp Nou. In order to do so, Godin will need to be an anchor in defence and prevent the Barcelona side from scoring as with every goal scored, Barcelona will firmly take command of the tie.
Diego Godin is in for the game of his life and Luis Suarez must be relishing the moment. Suarez, of course, has been phenomenal this season and is a major reason as to why Barcelona have kept their edge in games. It bears no coincidence that Barcelona seem to lose ground in games he doesn’t perform.
Antoine Griezmann vs Jordi Alba
Jordi Alba provides a sense of balance to this Barcelona side which is often overlooked. His attacking ability backed by his defensive stability have made him a mainstay for the managers who have been at Barcelona during his time here.
Antoine Griezmann has been a driving force for Atletico this season and will need to be at his best to help Atletico overturn the deficit. With Fernando Torres set to sit out the game, Griezmann will need to step up a notch if the Madrid side are to overcome Barcelona.
Griezmann and Alba are a match for their pace and acceleration. It will prove to be an interesting battle should both players turn up for the night.
Prediction
Barcelona have the advantage but Atletico are a dangerous side when it has come to grinding out results at home. It would be fitting if Cholo’s men dump the Barcelona juggernaut out of the Champions League and for the romantic, that seems to be a fair possibility.
Atletico Madrid 3-1 Barcelona
