Atletico Madrid and Barcelona met in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.
Reigning champions Barcelona entered the match with a narrow advantage following a 2-1 victory in the first leg, but an away goal for Atletico left the tie delicately poised in the capital.
Indeed, the home side levelled the tie on aggregate in there 36th minute when Antoine Griezmann headed a Saul Niguez cross into the back of the net.
Griezmann then added a second from the penalty spot in the 88th minute as the capital giants beat Barcelona in the quarter-finals of this competition once again.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Atletico Madrid welcome Barcelona for the second leg of their quarter-final. Matches do not get much bigger than this and we are delicately poised at the Vicente Calderon following a narrow 2-1 Barcelona victory in the first leg last week. Atletico managed a precious away goal and that could prove key tonight!
These two domestic rivals also met at the same stage of the 2013-14 Champions League and it was Atletico that advanced courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate win. That year, the first leg also took place at Camp Nou, where it finished 1-1, before Atletico recorded a 1-0 win in the return at the Calderon. The Madrid side went on to make the final that season, but lost out to capital rivals Real Madrid in extra-time.
In fact, Atletico are the only team to prevent Barcelona from reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in the last eight seasons and are one of just three clubs to have eliminated the Catalan outfit in the quarter-finals of this competition. That said, Barcelona have now won their last seven games against Atletico in all competitions – including both La Liga fixtures (2-1) this season.
As mentioned, Barcelona also recorded a 2-1 victory in the first leg last week, but it might have been a very different story if Fernando Torres had not been sent off in the 35th minute. Indeed, it was Torres that sent Atletico into a 25th-minute lead at Camp Nou, but his sending off before the break swung the match in favour of Barcelona, who went on to record a narrow win courtesy of a Luis Suarez double in the second period of action. In truth, the home side were a touch fortuitous to claim an advantage!
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Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid. Who have Diego Simeone and Luis Enrique placed their faith in tonight? Let's find out shall we...
TEAMS:
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Lucas, Luis; Augusto, Koke, Gabi; Saul, Griezmann, Carrasco
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
As mentioned, Fernando Torres misses out for Atletico tonight through suspension, but Diego Simeone has decided against selecting Luciano Vietto in the final third. Instead, Saul Niguez has moved into a forward position alongside Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, allowing Augusto Fernandez to come into the three-man midfield. Stefan Savic is included in the squad following a toe injury, but young Frenchman Lucas Hernandez continues in central defence alongside Diego Godin.
As for Barcelona, Luis Enrique has selected the same XI from the first leg last week. Gerard Pique had been a doubt with a hip problem, but the Spanish international starts at the back. Luis Suarez also returns from a league suspension to join Lionel Messi and Neymar in the final third of the field. Incredibly, Messi has gone 362 minutes without scoring in all competitions for Barcelona, which is his worst run of form for five years. As a result, the Argentine is still stuck on 499 career goals.
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So there we have it. The two teams have been confirmed and we are now around 35 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about Barcelona a little bit later, but let's start with the home side Atletico, who will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 win over Espanyol at the weekend. That result kept Simeone's side in second spot in La Liga and they are now only three points off the leaders Barcelona, who lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad to throw the title race wide open!
Barcelona are by far the more experienced team at this stage of the competition, but Atletico have now reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the last three campaigns. In 2013-14, as mentioned, they beat Barcelona in the quarter-finals, but lost out to capital rivals Real Madrid at the same stage of the 2014-15 season. Should Atletico negotiate their way past Barcelona this season, it would be the fifth time in their history that they have made the semi-finals of the European Cup.
Atletico have faced Spanish opposition on 17 occasions in the European Cup and they have a fairly mixed record – recording seven wins and suffering seven defeats. They are currently on a poor run of form against Barcelona, but there has only been one goal between the two teams in their last six matches and Atletico always fancy their chances on home soil. It is so delicately poised at the Calderon tonight.
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Overall, Atletico have hosted Barcelona on 109 occasions in all competitions. They have won 50 of those matches, but have also been beaten on 36 occasions. The Madrid giants have only lost two of their last 28 European home matches, however, recording 23 wins in the process. They have also won 11 of the 20 UEFA competition ties where they lost the away first leg – including five aggregate victories from six ties when the first game finished 2-1! Little over 25 minutes until kickoff in Madrid.
Incredibly, all three encounters between Atletico and Barcelona this season have all followed the same template, meaning that Atletico have scored first before losing the match 2-1. They know what it takes to upset Barcelona in this competition though and it would be some story if they could eliminate the Catalan outfit from the Champions League and also beat them to the La Liga title.
It was supposed to be a comfortable end to the season for Barcelona. Luis Enrique's side looked to have the league title in the bag as they put together an incredible 39-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but they lost 2-1 at home to Real Madrid on April 4 and were also beaten 1-0 at Sociedad in the league at the weekend. They are still top of the Spanish league as we enter the final weeks, but back-to-back defeats has allowed Atletico and Real Madrid back into the title race.
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Have Barcelona run out of steam at the worst stage of the season? Just one victory in their last four in all competitions gives some weight to that suggestion, but they can make a point with a strong performance and progression tonight. Indeed, the Catalan outfit have won 14 of their 17 European quarter-finals and they recorded a 2-0 win at Arsenal in their last away match in this competition.
Barcelona have won this competition on four occasions in the last 10 seasons and are attempting to become the first team since the great AC Milan side in 1989 and 1990 to win back-to-back European Cups. They are in the quarter-finals for the ninth consecutive campaign, which is some record in itself, and have won 17 of their 22 fixtures in this competition since last season.
Interestingly, 51% of teams that have won 2-1 at home in the first leg of a Champions League game have gone on to progress into the next round. Barcelona can also count on a wonderful run of form against Atletico, having beaten the capital side in each of their last seven matches in all competitions. What's more, the last time that Barcelona failed to score in the Champions League was in April 14. Oh no, wait. That match? Away at Atletico, when they lost 1-0. Oops!
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Atletico's 12 goals in nine games is the lowest return of any Champions League quarter-finalist this season, but Barcelona have only kept one clean sheet in their 13 European matches against Spanish opposition. There is some excellent news for Barcelona supporters, however, as we close on kickoff. The Catalan giants have won 38 of the 40 UEFA competition ties where they won the first leg at home, most recently against Bayern Munich in last season's semi-finals. Right, prediction time!
PREDICTION! This is a very, very difficult one to call. Barcelona are wounded at the moment, but they are too good a team not to respond. Atletico, as always, will make it very difficult for the Catalan outfit, but I just think that Barcelona will progress into the semi-finals when all is said and done. I am actually going to back a 1-1 draw at the Calderon, seeing Barcelona through 3-2 on aggregate.
A reminder of the two teams for tonight...
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Lucas, Luis; Augusto, Koke, Gabi; Saul, Griezmann, Carrasco
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! Barcelona will enter the match with a 2-1 advantage, but it is so delicately poised in the capital. Right, Atletico get the first period underway at the Calderon...
... it must be said that it is a beautiful evening in Madrid and the pitch is in excellent condition. No problems there at all! As expected, it has been a frantic start as both teams battle for control of the ball. That said, it will soon develop into a pattern of Barcelona in control of the possession here!
Bright work from Messi as the Argentine picks up some space down the right and attempts to cut inside Luis, but the left-back makes the challenge. You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Mascherano just prevents Gabi from breaking here.
CHANCE! Very presentable chance for the home side as Gabi meets a loose ball inside the Barcelona box, but his strike was always rising over the crossbar. Might have done better there!
SAVE! Ter Stegen saves a long-range Carrasco strike as Atletico threaten here.
Barcelona are enjoying more of the ball at the moment, but Atletico are threatening on the counter attack when Carrasco and Griezmann have the chance to break. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium and this match is bubbling along nicely early on here!
SAVE! Another wonderful chance for Atletico as Luis finds the head of Griezmann inside the Barcelona box, but his effort is straight at Ter Stegen. Atletico should be ahead!
Still Barcelona enjoy plenty of the ball, but they are not really threatening at the moment as Atletico remain nice and tight at the back. Just a reminder that a 1-0 Atletico win would see them make the semi-finals, but as it stands, Barcelona would advance. Any draw also takes the Catalan side through.
Carrasco, who has been very lively early on here, drives a low cross into the Barcelona box, but there are no takers. Barcelona do not look very comfortable at the back in the early moments!
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Barcelona are just starting to warm to their task in this match. We have seen little from the likes of Neymar, Messi and Suarez, but Iniesta and Busquets are having a lot of touches in midfield. Still 0-0 on the night in Madrid.
Simeone's decision to select Carrasco and Griezmann in the final third tonight seems to be working as the pair continue to cause Barcelona problems with their pace and movement. Atletico midfielder Fernandez is a shade lucky to escape a booking as he dives into the back of Neymar here.
Godin has just bumped Neymar into the boards and the Brazilian is not happy! Godin then ruffles the hair of Neymar, which does not go down well either! Just starting to bubble along here!
Still no bookings tonight, but we must be getting close as Luis brings Suarez to the deck with a poor challenge. Those two clashed on a few occasions in the first leg and Luis might be looking for some payback in this match! No real chances to report as the first period continues to develop.
Smart work between Griezmann and Gabi as the latter attempts to release the former inside the Barcelona box, but Mascherano is across to make the challenge. Koke then delivers a dangerous low cross into the box, but Ter Stegen is on hand to collect. Atletico have been more dangerous tonight.
The referee has not been interested in a couple of soft falls in the last few minutes, which is good to see. He seems to have picked up the atmosphere and has allowed the play to flow when possible. Still 0-0 on the night as Barcelona pass and probe in the final third of the field.
Carrasco has been the standout player on the pitch in the opening 26 minutes and the Belgian wins his team a free kick in a dangerous position, but Koke's delivery is straight into the arms of Ter Stegen, who looks to release Alves down the right. Not happening in terms of chances at the moment!
Quite a bitty game at the moment as both teams continue to concede free kicks. Atletico have a shout for a penalty as Pique grabs onto Carrasco inside the box, but the referee says no!
End-to-end football in the last few minutes as both teams commit players in the final third, but I cannot bring you any clear chances as both defences remain on top in the Spanish capital.
Barcelona have a free kick in a very dangerous position as Godin brings Iniesta to the deck...
... Messi takes the resulting set piece, but his effort was always over the goal.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still 0-0 on the night and 2-1 Barcelona on aggregate. Barcelona break forward through Iniesta, who works the ball into Neymar and then Messi, but the attack comes to an and when Alves delivers straight into Oblak's arms.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Barcelona (Griezmann)
Atletico make the breakthrough in the 36th minute and level the tie at 2-2 as Griezmann heads a wonderful Saul Niguez into the back of the net! Terrific header from the Frenchman there!
Atletico are currently ahead on away goals, but you suspect that we have not seen the last of the goals in this match. That said, Barcelona have been poor in the final third and Atletico are just to strong at the back. The Calderon is absolutely bouncing as we approach the half-time break here.
Barcelona are really wobbling at the moment aren't they! I don't mean at this particular moment in this match, but in general. They are really hitting some bad form at a key part of the season! Neymar attempts to beat Oblak from distance, but the Atletico stopper makes the save.
SAVE! Ter Stegen gets down to keep out Carrasco from distance!
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 1-0 on the night courtesy of a super header from Griezmann in the 36th minute. We are currently level at 2-2 on aggregate, but Atletico are ahead on away goals. Barcelona have struggled again tonight!
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 71%, but they have only had three attempts and just one was on target. Atletico, meanwhile, have hit the target with four of their five attempts. No bookings to report in the first period, but there have been some tasty challenges here!
BENCH WATCH! Atletico have a number of attacking options on their bench tonight, with the likes of Correa, Thomas and Vietto all available for the capital side. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Munir El-Haddadi, Arda Turan, Sergi Roberto and Adriano.
MATCH PIC!
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RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Barcelona respond in this second 45 minutes? They need to! The visitors resume the action...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind for the second period. Barcelona have work to do!
Atletico break on Barcelona and Koke looks to poke a pass into Griezmann, but Mascherano is on hand to make the clearance. The noise inside this stadium is just incredible at the moment as the home supporters drive their team forward. It is just so delicately poised in the capital tonight.
Alves misses the target for Barcelona following a Neymar corner from the right.
CHANCE! Atletico break forward and Koke looks to find Carrasco after beating Ter Stegen to the ball, but Pique is on hand to make the clearance and Barcelona survive a second.
CROSSBAR! Saul rises inside the Barcelona box, but his header hits the woodwork!
The home supporters are in wonderful voice at the moment as Barcelona continue to struggle in the final third of the field. As it stands, Atletico are heading into the semi-finals of the competition.
It just is not happening for Barcelona at the moment as another attack breaks down in the final third of the field. Suarez has been poor tonight, but wouldn't it be so like him to pop up with a goal! Arda Turan is warming up for the visitors and we might see the Turk sooner rather than later here!
Alba sets up Messi on the edge of the box, but Koke makes a vital block.
CHANCE! What a piece of defending from Gabi! Alba delivers a wonderful cross into the Atletico box and it looks as if a yellow shirt will turn home, but the captain makes the challenge!
CHANCE! Griezmann breaks away for Atletico this time and attempts to beat Ter Stegen at his near post, but the stopper makes the save. End-to-end football at the Calderon here!
SAVE! Oblak saves from Iniesta as Atletico survive another spell of pressure.
BARCELONA SUBS! Roberto and Turan replace Alves and Rakitic for the visitors.
Atletico are just so, so good at the back. Barcelona are putting them under some serious pressure at the moment, but they are holding onto their 1-0 lead, which is enough as we stand here!
CHANCE! Suarez rolls Godin inside the Atletico box, but fires straight at Oblak!
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
Super defending from Godin as the Atletico centre-back beats Suarez to a high ball and helps his team survive another period of pressure. Neymar and Luis then have a little pushing match!
BOOKING! Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for his challenge on Godin.
Messi is still stuck on 499 career goals and in truth, he has not really looked like finding the back of the net tonight. Likewise Neymar, who has been disappointing for the Catalan outfit in Madrid.
ATLETICO SUB! Thomas replaces Carrasco in Atletico's first change.
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and it would be a killer for Atletico if Barcelona managed to level it at 1-1 and indeed take a lead in the tie. Fifteen to play here!
Handbags again!
BOOKING! Neymar (Barcelona) is booked for kicking out at Juanfran.
Something is waiting to kick off here. I can see a red card!
Barcelona need one of their big players to step forward in the final 10 minutes. Messi, Suarez and Neymar have all been poor tonight and Atletico are quite comfortable with 81 on the clock here.
Alarm bells for the home side as Messi delivers a dangerous free kick into the Atletico box, but Oblak makes the punch, before Luis is across to challenge Pique inside the area!
SAVE! Oblak gets down to keep out a low Suarez strike!
BOOKING! Godin (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Roberto.
Barcelona continue to dominate possession as Atletico drop deep and it is simply attack versus defence at the moment. Pique is playing as a centre-forward for the Catalan outfit!
PENALTY ATLETICO!
BOOKING! Iniesta (Barcelona) is booked for handling a Luis cross inside the box!
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Barcelona (Griezmann, pen)
Griezmann places his effort into the bottom corner for 2-0!
ATLETICO SUB! Correa replaces two-goal Griezmann for the home side.
BOOKING! Correa (Atletico) is booked for taking too long to enter the field!
Barcelona have a free kick just outside the Atletico box!
Gabi has handled inside the box! Should have been a penalty!
Messi takes the free kick, but his effort is too high!
ATLETICO SUB! Savic replaces Fernandez for the home team.
BOOKING! Koke (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Alba.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 2-0 Barcelona (Atletico win 3-2 on aggregate)
Incredible scenes at the final whistle as Atletico celebrate their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League. They have knocked out Barcelona courtesy of a 2-0 win in the second leg of this quarter-final - what a night! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
