For the first time in forever, FC Barcelona tasted the sting of defeat. The reigning European champions are just days removed from a loss to bitter rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico, which snapped their incredible 39-match unbeaten run. That’s obviously less than ideal preparation as they host another dangerous Madrid club, Atletico, in the first leg of the 2016 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Atleti were responsible for knocking Barca out in this very stage in a couple years ago, but the Catalans have had their number ever since.
Read on below for our complete preview of this all-Spanish quarterfinal showdown. Meanwhile, check out our preview of the day’s other Champions League quarterfinal action, Bayern Munich vs. Benfica.
There was talk heading into El Clasico that with Barca’s lead in La Liga seemingly safe, they wouldn’t be as up for Real as in recent years. That prognosis proved very accurate, as Barca indeed played a subpar game and were beaten 2-1 at home by their big rivals. That loss was their first home loss of the season in all competitions.
However, look for that result to serve as a bit of a wake-up call for the defending champions and +150 tournament favorites ahead of their first leg matchup on Tuesday. Barca will have no pressing injury concerns, so they should be playing at full strength—and with a renewed sense of urgency—against Atleico.
Of course, any conversation about Barca must begin up front with MSN: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. The outstanding front three has combined for 69 goals in La Liga and 15 in the Champions League this campaign. They’re the best attacking trio in the world today, and not even Atletico’s usually impregnable defense has been unable to contain them.
Since MSN came together last season, Barca have won all six meetings with Atletico in all competitions, including 2-1 wins both home and away in the league this season. Messi, Suarez and Neymar have scored all 11 of the team’s goals in those six games. (Atletico scored one own goal.)
Create a betting account now and cash in on all the exciting soccer action from the Champions League quarterfinal round.
Betting on Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid were hardly impressive in the round of 16 as they needed a penalty shootout to get past PSV. However, the Rojiblancos did their confidence a lot of good as they thrashed Real Betis 5-1 at home ahead of their big quarterfinal away leg against Barcelona. Fernando Torres opened the scoring, while leading scorer Antoine Griezmann added two of his own.
Torres’ fine form of late has earned him a spot in the starting line-up against Barca, according to manager Diego Simeone. Atletico will likely be on the back foot for most of the match, but Torres can be lethal if given a chance on goal. The 32-year-old has scored four goals in his last seven league games, and has scored 10 times against Barcelona in 14 matches.
Simeone should be encouraged by what he saw in El Clasico, as Barca failed to break down a Real team that sat back, defended deep and countered effectively. That was more or less the same gameplan Simeone implemented the last time Atletico met Barca in the Champions League back in 2014, to great success.
Atleti battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou before eventually prevailing at home. Atletico are sneakily priced at +290 to knock Barca out once again.
Atletico have the best defensive record in La Liga this season, allowing just 15 goals with eight coming away from home. They’ve also been airtight in Europe, giving up one goal in four Champions League away matches.
Writer’s Prediction
Barcelona (-246) make it a hat-trick of wins against Atleti as MSN leads them to a narrow 1-0 home victory.
