Barcelona fights to reverse deficit
Barcelona enter a second leg trying to overturn a 0-2 first-leg loss to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, according to recent coverage. (marca.com) Atlético’s coach Diego Simeone reportedly made 10 changes ahead of the tie and publicly said “I have a plan,” signaling a tactical approach for the return match. (barcablaugranes.com)
Barcelona goes to Madrid on Tuesday, April 14, needing at least a two-goal win against Atlético Madrid to keep its Champions League season alive. (uefa.com) The first leg ended 2-0 for Atlético at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday, April 8, after Barcelona went down to 10 men and conceded to Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth. ESPN’s match log lists Pau Cubarsí at 44 minutes, then Álvarez at 45 and Sørloth at 70. (espn.com) Under the two-leg format, Barcelona must erase the aggregate deficit away from home to reach the semifinals. UEFA lists the winner of this tie against either Sporting Clube de Portugal or Arsenal in the last four on April 29 and May 5. (uefa.com) Atlético arrives with the scoreboard edge and with Diego Simeone signaling a deliberate setup for the return leg. In comments carried Sunday, Simeone said, “I have a plan” after making 10 changes ahead of the second leg. (sports.yahoo.com) That squad rotation came before a La Liga loss at Sevilla, where reports said Simeone picked the youngest starting lineup of his tenure and defended the gamble as preparation for Barcelona. (foxsports.com) Barcelona’s buildup has included anger over the first leg officiating. Multiple reports said the club filed a formal complaint to Union of European Football Associations over a denied penalty and a handball decision involving Atlético defender Marc Pubill. (sports.yahoo.com) The tie is also one of only two quarterfinal second legs scheduled for Tuesday, April 14. UEFA lists Atlético Madrid against Barcelona alongside Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain, with the other two quarterfinals on Wednesday, April 15. (uefa.com) By Tuesday night, Barcelona either produces the comeback it failed to start at home, or Atlético turns Simeone’s “plan” into a semifinal place. (sports.yahoo.com)
