Atletico Madrid Clash With Barcelona: Everything You Need to Know Before the Epic Showdown

Barcelona are under pressure to produce a miraculous turnaround on Tuesday evening at the Metropolitano against Spanish rivals Atlético Madrid if they are to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Hansi Flick's men travel to the capital following a painful 2–0 loss at the Camp Nou in the first leg. Barcelona controlled the early stages but Pau Cubarsí's red card changed the game for the Catalans, who were punished by goals from Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth and now face an uphill battle.

Barcelona must now produce their finest display of the campaign to stand any chance of ending an 11-year wait for Champions League glory. Flick's squad lifted spirits with a victory over city rivals Espanyol at the weekend ahead of the crucial clash with Atléti.

Diego Simeone, meanwhile, rested the majority of his key players during Atléti's 2–1 away loss at Sevilla. With Los Rojiblancos out of the running in the La Liga title race, the Argentine manager focused on having a fresh and fully rested squad to defend their two-goal lead and advance past Barça to the semifinals on Tuesday.

There is growing belief within Barcelona that they can rise to the occasion, but Atlético Madrid host the second leg in a commanding position to knock out the Catalans in the Champions League quarterfinals for the third time under Simeone.

Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona Score Prediction

Barça Endure Yet Another Heartbreaking Champions League Exit

Barcelona twice overturned two-goal deficits in last season's Champions League semifinals against Inter Milan before ultimately being eliminated in extra time. The Catalans possess the quality to erase the gap once more, but Tuesday's second leg could end in déjà vu in the most devastating and gut-wrenching fashion for Flick's side.

There is little doubt that Barça will put Atlético's defense under pressure from the opening whistle. Simeone's side are expected to sit deep to protect their lead, while Barcelona will press relentlessly in an attempt to get back into the tie.

It would come as no surprise if the Blaugrana score twice and find themselves on the verge of progressing, but it is equally unlikely that their vulnerable defense keeps the hosts at bay for 90 minutes... or possibly longer.

Ultimately, the sight of Barça players devastated on the pitch following another agonizing Champions League elimination could well become a reality once again.

Prediction: Atlético Madrid 1–2 Barcelona (After Extra Time)

Atlético Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona

Being forced to field a patched-up defensive line against an attack as potent as Barça's is far from ideal, yet that is precisely the situation Simeone faces in the second leg. Marc Pubilli is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, and Dávid Hancko is unlikely to recover in time from his first leg injury to feature from the start.

Former Barcelona defender Clément Lenglet is set to deputize for Hancko alongside Robin Le Normand, while 2022 World Cup winner Nahuel Molina is expected to slot into the XI at right back.

Those are the only two changes anticipated from the XI that started at the Camp Nou last week, with Juan Musso retaining his place in goal ahead of Jan Oblak, who has recently returned from injury.

José María Giménez, Pablo Barrios, and Johnny Cardoso remain the only other injury concerns heading into the match.

Atlético Madrid predicted lineup vs. Barcelona (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Griezmann, Álvarez

Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Atlético Madrid

With Cubarsí suspended, Flick will most likely call upon the adaptable Eric García once more to partner Gerard Martín at the heart of defense.

This tactical adjustment is also made possible by Frenkie de Jong's return from injury, with the Dutchman a strong contender to start and revive his midfield partnership with Pedri at the most critical moment of the season.

Marcus Rashford is set to start on the left in the absence of the injured Raphinha, while João Cancelo is expected to retain his place over Alejandro Balde.

Meanwhile, Fermín López and Robert Lewandowski were largely rested against Espanyol and are anticipated to start, with Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres likely to be introduced from the bench in the second half.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs. Atlético Madrid (4-2-3-1): J. García; Koundé, E. García, Martín, Cancelo; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, López, Rashford; Lewandowski.

What Time Does Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona Kick Off?

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