Barcelona
- Barcelona are 4-0 down on aggregate after the first leg, needing a miracle to avoid elimination.
- Barcelona have won four of their last five league games, but their 4-0 loss to Atleti in the first-leg of this tie showed their frailties.
- Hansi Flick’s side have 58 points from 23 LaLiga games to top the table, but they’ve been outdone by Diego Simeone in this fixture and only a historic comeback will save their skin at Camp Nou.
Atlético
- Atlético Madrid have won three of their last four games, including a 4-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League and a 4-2 victory over Espanyol in LaLiga.
- Simeone’s tactical nous was on full display that night as his team put in an almost clinical performance, high-pressing and pressing Barcelona into submission.
- They are third in LaLiga with 45 points from 23 games, 13 fewer than Barca, but they will not have their numbers at Camp Nou on Tuesday as they sit deep and look to spring quick counters at a high defensive line.
Head-to-Head
One of those draws was the famous 4-4 clash, but the 4-0 victory for Los Rojiblancos last week was the biggest margin of any in the series to date.
Key Players
- Robert Lewandowski has been Barcelona’s focal point this season, but Lamine Yamal is their breakout creator, providing width, set-piece threat and a constant threat on the break.
- Atletico’s forward line is unplayable in terms of the combination of speed, power and trickery of Alexander Sørloth and Julián Álvarez, who should be well-supported by Antoine Griezmann.
- The French World Cup winner is Atletico’s talisman in the big games, scoring in the first leg and orchestrating attacks with his experience.
Betting Insights
- Barca are 1.57 favorites to win on the night, but Atletico are 4.65 to progress overall.
- Both Teams to Score is a strong option at 1.42 given what is at stake and the fact that Barca have no choice but to play attack-minded soccer if they hope to salvage any pride for Flick, who is approaching his 100th game in charge of the club.
Prediction
- I’m going for Atletico to win this tie and continue their resurgence with another cup final appearance.
- They have been ruthless in knockout football this season, combining clinical finishing with solid defensive play that smothers opponents and turns games into contests of chess.
