Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Champions League preview, team news and prediction

View Image

Barcelona must produce another famous remontada to keep their Champions League hopes alive when they travel to the Spanish capital to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the quarter-final second leg. Hansi Flick’s side are in a deep hole after a shock 2-0 home defeat in the first leg, a night when Diego Simeone’s men took a firm grip on the tie and moved a step closer to a semi-final meeting with either Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon.

Barcelona looked weighed down by favouritism at Camp Nou and their task became far harder just before half-time, when young defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off for a last-man challenge in the 44th minute. Atletico pounced almost immediately, Julian Alvarez curling in a superb free kick before Alexander Sorloth added a second — his sixth Champions League goal of the season — to silence most of the 59,000 inside the stadium.

Atletico’s win came against the backdrop of poor form, as Simeone’s side had arrived in Barcelona on a three-match losing streak in all competitions, including a 2-1 La Liga defeat to Barca. Their domestic troubles continued at the weekend with a 2-1 loss to Sevilla, though the result needs context: Simeone made 10 changes with this second leg clearly the priority, keeping only goalkeeper Juan Musso in the starting XI.

And Atletico’s home record still offers plenty of encouragement. They had won six straight at the Wanda Metropolitano before their recent league loss to Barcelona, and they have failed to score in just one home match all season — February’s 1-0 defeat to Real Betis.

Barcelona can take a small sliver of comfort from recent history, however. The last time Atletico won the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final — against Borussia Dortmund in 2023-24 — they collapsed in the return match and were eliminated.

Even so, Barca’s first-leg red card left them with a mountain to climb, and they now need something even bigger in Madrid. The good news for Flick is that form is on his side: Barcelona responded emphatically on Saturday with a 4-1 thrashing of local rivals Espanyol, as Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to reach 100 La Liga appearances and celebrated with a goal and two assists.

With Barcelona nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, the league title looks increasingly inevitable — which only underlines the size of Tuesday’s occasion, arguably their biggest game of the season so far.

They have already beaten Atletico in Madrid earlier this month, but memories of February’s 4-0 Copa del Rey hammering could still linger. If Barca are to turn this tie around, their attack will need to be clinical from the first whistle.

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change

Atletico Madrid’s emphatic first-leg win came with a defensive downside, as David Hancko was forced off early with an ankle problem. Matters were then complicated further when his stand-in, Marc Pubill, picked up a booking that rules him out through suspension.

Hancko is now a major doubt for Tuesday’s return match, as is Jose Gimenez, who is also struggling with discomfort. There was better news on Monday, though, with Johnny Cardoso (adductor) and Pablo Barrios (thigh) returning to training, while Diego Simeone is optimistic that first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak will be available again after an abdominal issue.

If neither Hancko nor Gimenez is passed fit, former Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet looks the likeliest option to step in at the back. Simeone, however, can at least freshen up the rest of his side with a number of first-team regulars expected to return after being rested.

Barcelona, meanwhile, will be without Pau Cubarsi following his red card in the first leg, meaning Ronald Araujo is expected to deputise — or Eric Garcia could be used instead if Frenkie de Jong is deemed fit enough to start in midfield. The visitors also saw Gerard Martin come off at half-time against Espanyol with discomfort, but Hansi Flick played down the problem afterwards and is confident the 24-year-old will be fit for midweek.

Marc Bernal has travelled despite an ankle issue, but Raphinha (hamstring) and Andreas Christensen (ACL) are definitely out.

If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.

Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here .

Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only

READ MORE: Free Bets & Bookmaker Sign Up Offers

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.