La Liga toppers Barcelona and runner-up Atletico Madrid head into their Champions League quarter-final first leg this Tuesday, and while the home side will look to bounce back from El clasico defeat, Simeone’s side is hoping that they can take an advantage of the same.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
April 5, 2016 • 19:45 • Camp Nou, Barcelona
Referee: F. Brych
Barcelona v Atletico Madrid LiveStreams
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique on Monday (4th April) described UEFA Champions League opponents Atletico Madrid as “one of the great teams” ahead of their quarter-final first leg at the Nou Camp on Tuesday (5th April).
Luis Enrique, Barcelona coach (on Atletico Madrid):
“Atletico Madrid is a top level team. A team with a very clear idea and philosophy. They are very dangerous in putting pressure on the rivals area and also on the midfield. Extremely dangerous during transitions and set piece actions. That is why they are where they are now. That is why they are competing against Barca and Real Madrid, despite not having the same economic possibilities. That is why they are one of the great teams. That is why they have such a good coach. They are a rival that regardless of our result from last Saturday will make things complicated for us.”
(about the past clasico):
“I see my players in perfect condition. Evidently it had been a long time since we last tasted defeat. And that must mean something. But you also realise the difficulty of winning and achieving positive results. And we all hope this will serve as a stimulus to win again.”
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said on Monday (4th April) that his team were “optimistic” ahead of facing Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday (5th April).
Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid coach (on facing Barcelona):
“I think that the more occasions we get to play against them the better. No doubt about it. And I don’t think there will be many surprises regarding both team’s strategies. They are a very clear team when it comes to the way they play. They have been playing this way during many years. Nowadays under Luis Enrique’s management they are doing things spectacularly well. As for us, we have been working under a very solid philosophy structure. And at this stage it is very complicated for both teams to change what so far, has ended in many positive results.”
(about Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou)
“I don’t think what happened the other day…. we always expect the best from Barcelona. We understand that because they are playing at home in the first leg and they will really attempt to achieve a victory. And we are optimistic. We know it is a difficult game against a very strong rival, but I strongly believe in my team.”
Probable team lineups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, D. Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Rakitić, Iniesta, Messi, L. Suarez, Neymar
Out: Sandro, Adriano, Mathieu
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Juanfran, Savić, Godin, Filipe Luis, Gabi, Saul, A. Fernandez, Koke, Griezmann, F. Torres
Out: J. Gimenez, O. Torres, Gamez, Tiago