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

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Barcelona host Atletico Madrid at Nou Camp on Wednesday night for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, just days after the pair met in La Liga. They faced off in Spain’s top flight on Saturday, when a late Robert Lewandowski winner earned Barcelona a 2-1 victory and opened up a seven-point lead at the summit.

Barcelona’s recent history against Atletico in the Champions League makes for uncomfortable reading. Their last two quarter-final meetings have both ended in elimination, going down 2-1 in 2013-14 and 3-2 at the same stage in 2015-16. Overall, Barca have won only one of their four European clashes with Atletico, scoring just three goals across those matches.

Domestic form, however, points in the opposite direction. Barcelona have won five of their last six games against Simeone’s side in all competitions, including Saturday’s league success, and Hansi Flick’s team now sit seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Even so, Atletico’s knack for making life difficult in this competition ensures there will be no complacency from the hosts.

Barcelona arrive in ominous European form after overwhelming Newcastle United 8-3 on aggregate in the last 16, including a staggering 7-2 home win in the second leg. They are also unbeaten in all competitions for almost two months, with their attacking depth and another standout season from Lamine Yamal making them one of the most dangerous sides left in the tournament.

Atletico, by contrast, head into the tie on a run of three consecutive de,feats in all competitions, capped by the late loss to Barcelona at the weekend. They are fourth in La Liga but remain 12 points clear of Real Betis in fifth, leaving Simeone’s side free to prioritise Europe — and the looming Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.

In the Champions League, Atletico edged past Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 despite a 3-2 defeat in the second leg, progressing 7-5 on aggregate. Last season they fell at the same stage to Real Madrid, and they have not gone beyond the quarter-finals since 2016-17, when they were beaten by Madrid in the semis.

Atletico have already lost four games in Europe this season, making their place in the last eight notable in itself, but their strong Champions League record against Barcelona should give them belief as they return to Camp Nou.

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Barcelona will be without Andreas Christensen (knee), Raphinha (hamstring), Frenkie de Jong (hamstring) and Marc Bernal (ankle) for Wednesday’s match, but Ronald Araujo has been given the all-clear despite having to come off against Atletico at the weekend.

Jules Kounde also made his comeback from injury as a substitute in Saturday’s league meeting, and he is expected to be ready to start in midweek. Robert Lewandowski should return to lead the line, though Marcus Rashford may have done enough to keep his place on the left flank, with the on-loan Manchester United forward tipped to remain in the XI.

Atletico, meanwhile, have welcomed Jan Oblak, Marc Pubill and Rodrigo Mendoza back into training and all three could be available for the trip to Camp Nou. Pablo Barrios is still out with a thigh issue, while Jose Gimenez (knock) and Johnny Cardoso (muscle) are considered major doubts. Julian Alvarez — who continues to be linked with Barcelona — started Saturday’s game on the bench but is expected to come back in, along with David Hancko, Ademola Lookman and Matteo Ruggeri.

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