Set to meet for the fourth time this season, Spanish Primera Division rivals Barcelona and Atlético Madrid will be looking to take the early advantage when they enter the opening leg of the 2013-2014 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Atlético currently leads the competitive La Liga table by one point over Barca and three over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid side and while they will gladly step away from league play with the slim edge, the 2012-2013 Copa del Rey champs know a tall order lies ahead, especially since they’ll open the quarterfinal slate at the famed Camp Nou. The two Spanish clubs have drawn even in each of their previous three showdowns but Atlético boss Diego Simeone says his side will need to be on point since Barca is playing the best they have all season.
“Of all the games against Barcelona tomorrow will be the hardest, not least because we're at the Camp Nou," Simeone said ahead of Tuesday’s first leg. "In August, Barcelona weren't in the form they're in now. And at the Calderón in the league, Messi was coming back from injury. They are at their best now and, whatever they say, I am sure they will try to settle the tie in the first game. But we will compete. Both teams will compete, but with very different identities. Their game is built around the ball; ours is built around the space.”
Barcelona will surely be looking to utilize their impeccable ball skills Tuesday afternoon in front of the home crowd, especially with premier offensive talents Lionel Messi, Neymar and Xavi expected to be impactful figures. While offensive efficiency will be demanded of the Catalan club as it always is, head coach Gerardo Martino will need a strong defensive effort, mainly due to the fact that Barcelona will be without keeper Victor Valdes. Suffering a knee injury in a recent victory over Celta Vigo, the 32-year-old won’t be available for at least seven months but despite the loss, the Barca boss says a physical attitude can help his team overcome anything.
“The secret of the game will be to match Atletico in intensity so that they don't overcome us, and our biggest strength will be to play like Barca always do," Martino said. “If this team wasn't brave these boys wouldn't have been able to achieve everything they have done in the last few years, and this club wouldn't be where it is now. That requires bravery, and it's guaranteed, because very few teams play the same way we do. I can't imagine we'll spend the game running behind the ball, we can't forget that we are Barcelona.”
Game Note
Atletico star Diego Costa, who was taken out of Madrid’s last contest against Athletic Bilbao due to discomfort in his right thigh, could miss the opening leg at Camp Nou. Retiring from a Madrid practice session ahead of the upcoming match as well, coach Simeone says there is a chance he’ll miss the opener.
“The medics will evaluate his condition but I reckon it is unlikely that he’ll play tomorrow,” he said. “If he’s fit he will, if he is not, he won’t.”
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid: DATE, TIME & VIEWING INFO
DATE: Tuesday, April 1
TIME: 2:45 p.m., ET
TV COVERAGE: FOX Sports 2
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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