Atlético Madrid aspect take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their Champions League quarter final with Barcelona on the Wanda Metropolitano, with Hansi Flick’s aspect needing a powerful efficiency to salvage the tie.
Their victory at the Nou Camp, courtesy of a objective from Alexander Sørloth after an incredible free kick by Julian Álvarez, was the primary since 2006, and a 1-0 defeat or higher will guarantee a primary look in the semi-finals of the match in 9 seasons.
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After a lot was stated in regards to the entrance footed assault of Barca below Hansi Flick, the quite a few abilities all through Barca’s squad had been duly nullified by Simeone’s staff, with hopes of a victory had been dashed by a pink card proven to centre again Pau Cubarsi.
Atlético are in a reasonably poor run of type as of late having misplaced their final three video games in the league, notably together with a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona simply earlier than their victory in the Champions League, additionally dropping to inner-city rivals Real Madrid and Sevilla final outing.
Although in typical Simeone style, he selected to relaxation the whole beginning XI from their midweek sport.
Barca had been the almost males of final season’s Champions League, as a thriller on the San Siro noticed Inter Milan deny Flick’s males a primary Champions League final since they final gained the competitors in 2015 once they overcame Juventus.
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The 5 time Champions League winners might be hoping to make the most of their extraordinarily gifted children, amongst them the now 18-year-old Yamine Lamal, in order to put themselves again in conversations for lifting essentially the most coveted trophy in membership soccer.
Barca have been in extraordinarily robust type as of late and at present sit 9 factors away from Real Madrid in La Liga, having performed the identical quantity of video games. The Catalans are on monitor to retain their league title and have misplaced simply considered one of their final 10 sport in the league.
Yamal has been in blistering type in the league with 26 objective involvements in 27 appearances this season, with Barca additionally making the most of Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford’s eight targets in 10 Champions League video games.
A definitive win over Newcastle in the spherical of 16 did spotlight the goalscoring powers of Barcelona and they’ll want to name upon that after once more to flip issues round.
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Atletico do have stars of their very own although. Álvarez has shone since leaving Manchester City, notching 9 targets and 5 assists in 12 Champions League video games.
Though his type has been barely worse off in the league marketing campaign, the 26-year-old stays an enormous menace going ahead for Simeone.
Atlético can nonetheless depend on veteran striker Antoine Griezmann, regardless of not being as prolific in-front of objective this season. The Frenchman has been performing effectively and is a constant menace every time he performs.
Tuesday’s fixture is the possibility for Atlético to full a major upset and go additional than they’ve been ready to in a decade, whereas Barca have the possibility to full a well-known comeback and cement themselves as robust contenders to carry the trophy.
