Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
Cards on the table time: I don’t think and have never thought of the current Barcelona side as a vintage version.
There is no disrespect intended because the Catalonians are an extremely talented team who I expect to successfully defend the La Liga title this term.
I just feel they are not capable of securing success in the Champions League alongside domestic supremacy.
Nevertheless, I admit to being taken aback when they were beaten at home in last week’s quarter-final first leg by Atletico Madrid.
There was a huge turning point in the tie when Barca were reduced to 10 men just before half-time with the game still goalless.
Can they the turn it around as they head to the Metropolitano?
Possibly – two goals is not insurmountable, especially in Europe now that the away goals rule has been scrapped.
But in Diego Simeone’s men, they are facing arguably the toughest team to break down European football.
Talking Points
Atletico do not need to go in search of a goal to extend their advantage. Instead, Los Rojiblancos can employ all the know-how Simeone has used to make them so impenetrable in these type of scenarios.
Even in pre-season friendlies over the years, I have witnessed professional sides become extremely frustrated by well-drilled amateurs.
If the Argentine can once more ensure his side is a disciplined and dogged, perhaps this will be one test too far for an attacking Barca side.
Both sides were in La Liga action on Saturday evening with Barca seeing off local rivals Espanyol 4-1 before Atletico went down 2-1 to Sevilla.
As results go, Barca are edging closer to the title while Atletico are odds on for another top four finish and a return to the competition next term.
But it is how they progress in this competition which will define whether Simeone is remembered as an excellent manager or a truly great one.
The fact he has guided Madrid’s second club to two La Liga titles and two Champions League finals during his time in charge means his legacy is assured.
But just imagine if he could take them to Euro glory on top of their Europa League triumph in 2018?
Last week in the Nou Camp didn’t just provide Atletico with Champions League 2026 highlights to savour; the victory was the first Simeone has ever registered there as Atletico manager.
I did a double-take on seeing that statistic because he’s been in charge for over 14 years, and in that time they’ve been a thorn in the sides of Barca and Real Madrid.
In 2014 and 2016 Atlético knocked out Barcelona en route to finals in Lisbon and Milan and, while there is much to be done at the Metropolitano, they hold all the aces.
Sometimes, everything turns on a single moment and a run from Simeone’s son, Giuliano, just before half-time was that moment. Barcelona had been on top, chances accumulating, but suddenly Simeone Jr was dashing towards the area, where he was clipped by Pau Cubarsí.
That earned the defender a red card and Atletico a free-kick from which Julián Alvarez curled in a wonderful opener. A goal down and a man down, there was no way back for Hansi Flick’s side; instead, there was a second for Alexander Sørloth with 20 minutes left.
Yes, it could have been different and Barcelona had 18 shots to Atletico’s five by the end of the contest.
However, the dismissal of Cubarsi and Alvarez’s superb free-kick proved decisive and given Atletico have eliminated Barcelona in both of their previous Champions League knockout ties, three may well be the magic number.
History
Over the past 12 months, the teams have met six times in league and cup with Barca winning four times and Atletico twice.
Ferran Torres netted the only goal of their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg last year to seal a 5-4 aggregate success (Barca went onto clinch the league and cup double).
They also have a league double this season. Barca won the league encounter in the Nou Camp in December when Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Torres scored the goals in a 3-1 win after Alex Baena had opened the scoring for the visitors.
They then won 2-1 at Atletico on Easter Saturday when Robert Lewandowski netted an 87th minute winner against hosts who had played the entire second half with 10 men.
Then came last week’s first leg in Europe.
Their two one-sided Copa de Rey semi-finals recently saw an early own goal set Atletico on their way to a dream night as Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Alvarez all found the net in the first half to open up a 4-0 advantage.
Marc Bernal’s double, and a Raphinha penalty, threatened a second leg comeback but Atletico would not be breached for a fourth time.
The Catalan outfit are unbeaten against the Red and Whites away from home in the league since October 2021.
Atletico have only won six of their last 28 meetings, all over a couple of seasons, including a Spanish Super Cup thriller at the start of 2020.
They will also remember fondly the Champions League quarter-finals in 2016, played at their former Vicente Calderon ground, when two first-half goals from Griezmann sealed a 2-0 success and a 3-2 aggregate win to send the holders crashing out after they had won the first leg 2-1.
Overall, Barcelona have triumphed in 41 of their 77 matches with 20 Atletico successes and 16 draws.
Betting Tip
Our SBOTOP Champions League 2026 betting odds make Barca clear favourites and understandably so.
However, Atletico do not need to chase this tie and, given Simeone rested virtually all of his likely starting line-up on Saturday, I expect them to be fresher and to get the result required.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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