Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid face for the quarterfinals of the Champions League
Barcelona, reigning European champion and hot favorite to be crowned again, try to shake off the defeat of the weekend in the derby against Real Madrid on Tuesday to receive Atletico Madrid at the start of the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
The trace left Barcelona on Saturday in their stadium and lost 2-1 to arch-rivals and although still comfortably leading the championship, was cut an impressive streak of 39 games unbeaten in all competitions.
These included the Champions League, where the Catalans do not lose at home since Bayern Munich beat them 3-0 in 2013. But Atletico Madrid a formidable rival, already touched glory in the continental final two seasons ago shows , lost in overtime to the neighboring Madrid, and reaching the current date the moral reinforced after thrashing Betis 5-1 in the league, where escort to Barcelona, 6 points below.
The Catalan team is clear dominator of the new century, it has raised four of their five European titles, and has the ace in the hole representing Lionel Messi, and five Golden Ball awards under his belt.
The trident that form along the Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Brazilian Neymar in Barcelona has signed 107 goals so far this season and collects praise for its ability to solve the thorniest parties, as evidenced by the fact that the last two scored in last continental final, won 3-1 to Juventus.
The Argentine coach of Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone, will not have the Uruguayan Central José Giménez, with muscle problems, while compatriot and teammate Diego Godín line finally received a medical discharge.
