Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona


Atletico Madrid and Barcelona meet for the fourth time this season on Wednesday night, competing in the UEFA Champions League for a place in the semi-finals.

With a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, the Catalans are looking to seal qualification to their eighth Champions League semi-final in nine years

Atletico Madrid were drawn against Spanish opponents in the quarter finals of the competition on last two previous seasons. They eliminated Barcelona in 2013/14 season after drawing 1-1 in the first leg away from home and winning 1-0 at home, courtesy of a goal by Koke. In the 2014/15 season, they were beaten by Real Madrid by a 1-0 aggregate.

The Blaugrana have been a joy to watch all season, and now is the time to show what they're made of. There is no bigger opportunity to show strength than a Champions League deciding game in one of the world's toughest stadiums. Will the Catalan giants live up to the expectations and make another trip to the European Cup Final Four, or will Atleti shock the world with a performance for the ages?

Lineups

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid will be without the services of their star striker Fernando Torres after he was sent off in the first leg at the Camp Nou for picking up two bookable offences. Simeone is likely to go in for a change in shape which could see the introduction of Augusto Fernández in the Los Rojiblancos midfield while Antoine Griezmann occupies the role of a lone striker.
Possible Starting XI (4-1-4-1): Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Lucas, Luís; Augusto; Saúl, Gabi, Koke, Carrasco; Griezmann. 

FC Barcelona

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez will make his return to the Barcelona starting lineup against Atletico Madrid after missing last weekend’s clash against Real Sociedad due to injury. Jeremy Mathieu, Rafinha, Sandro, Thomas Vermaelen and Aleix Vidal will all miss Wednesday’s clash due to injury.
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez, Neymar. 

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