Champions League
2026-04-14 - Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Tuesday 14th April 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Atletico Madrid
It might have been a few years since Atletico Madrid have been able to progress beyond the Champions League Quarter Final, but Diego Simeone's team have put themselves in a strong position after the First Leg of this tie. Taking advantage of Barcelona being reduced to ten men was key, but Simeone will be well aware that there is still some significant work to get through if Atletico Madrid are to take their place in the last four.
Having a two goal lead to protect is a big advantage for an Atletico Madrid team who have won 5 of the 6 home games played in the Champions League this season. The exception was a surprising defeat to Bodo/Glimt, but Atletico Madrid will feel in a strong position knowing a narrow defeat would still be enough to earn a spot in the Semi Final of the Champions League for the first time since 2017.
Atletico Madrid have not been in the most impressive of form and the 2-1 defeat at Sevilla means they have lost 4 of the last 5 games in all competitions. Of course the exception is the 0-2 win at the Camp Nou last week, but Atletico Madrid's 6 game winning run at home was ended in a 1-2 defeat to Barcelona days before the Quarter Final First Leg.
One eye was firmly on the Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg in the team selection for the defeat at Sevilla. David Hancko is a doubt, while Marc Pubill is suspended.
Barcelona
In recent seasons, Barcelona will feel some fortune has been lacking when it comes to the business end of the Champions League and the Quarter Final First Leg has certainly frustrated all associated with the club. Not only were they reduced to ten men in the first half to make things difficult, but manager Hansi Flick felt his team deserved a second half Penalty and perhaps having the number of men evened up.
The two goal deficit is a blow, but Barcelona have to believe that scoring first in the Second Leg will give them every chance of turning things around. One issue is that Barcelona have only won 2 of the 5 away Champions League games played this season, while they have failed to win any of the last 3 away Knock Out ties played in the competition.
Barcelona bounced back from the disappointment of the Quarter Final First Leg defeat by beating rivals Espanyol 4-1 at home this past weekend and they have won 5 of the last 6 games in all competitions. They have won 2 of the last 3 away games played, but the exception was the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in the Champions League Last 16 First Leg.
Pau Cubarsi is suspended after this first half sending off last week. Frenkie de Jong is hoping to be involved, while some changes will be made to bring back some key players that were rested in the win over Espanyol.
Head to Head
This is the sixth meeting between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid this season and the former have won 3 with the latter winning twice.
However, it is Atletico Madrid who came through the Copa Del Rey tie and they will feel they can do the same in this Champions League tie as well.
Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona 4-0 here in the Copa Del Rey First Leg, but the Catalan giants have won 5 of the last 6 visits here, including that 1-2 win in the League earlier this month.
Prediction
In a lot of cases, a two goal lead from the away Leg of any Knock Out tie would feel like a big advantage, but there still feels like something is in this tie for Barcelona.
So much went wrong in the First Leg and scoring first will reignite the contest, but Barcelona have to find some balance and cannot afford to make the kind of mistakes they did in the Camp Nou.
Being reduced to ten men was a body blow, but Barcelona were still the better team overall and they have enjoyed recent visits to Atletico Madrid. They won here in the League earlier this month and that is one of 5 wins in 6 trips to Atletico Madrid, although no one in Barcelona colours will need reminding of the 4-0 defeat here in the Copa Del Rey earlier in the campaign.
Diego Simeone's men have not been in the best recent form, but the experienced manager will set his team up to manage the lead they have and that could mean Barcelona dominating the fixture as they have done against Atletico Madrid in recent times.
They will have plenty of respect for Atletico Madrid and what this team can do, but Barcelona still look the better team and this tie does feel like it is far from over.
The first goal is going to be hugely important.
If Barcelona can score, they certainly have enough to force Extra Time and perhaps even win this tie in normal time, but Atletico Madrid are likely going to sit in and hope to counter the high line. That has been successful for them against Barcelona over the last couple of years, but rarely at home and the Catalan giants can win this Second Leg.
Whether that is enough to eventually push through to the Champions League Semi Final is another story, but backing Barcelona to win here looks the right play.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Atletico Madrid 1-3 Barcelona
