Atlético protect two‑goal lead

Atlético Madrid took a 2-0 aggregate lead over Barcelona into Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Metropolitano. (uefa.com) The advantage came from a 2-0 first-leg win in Barcelona on April 8, which left Hansi Flick’s side needing at least two goals in Madrid to force extra time. (uefa.com) Tuesday’s match was scheduled for 9 p.m. local time in Madrid, 3 p.m. Eastern time in the United States, with the winner moving into the semi-finals set for April 27 or 29 and May 4 or 6. (uefa.com) For Atlético, the night carried weight beyond one tie. Diego Simeone’s team was chasing its first Champions League semi-final place in nine years, after reaching the last four in the seasons that ended with finals in 2014 and 2016. (thestar.com.my) Barcelona arrived with a different task: overturning a two-goal deficit away from home against a team that Reuters said had lost only three matches at the Metropolitano in all competitions this season, and none by more than one goal. (thestar.com.my) Atlético also had a possible boost in goal. Jan Oblak had missed more than a month with a muscle injury after last playing on March 10 against Tottenham Hotspur, but reports before the second leg said he could return to the starting lineup. (msn.com, en.as.com) Koke said Atlético was treating the match “as if it were a final,” with the club also due to face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final later in the week. Reuters reported the Metropolitano was sold out for the second leg. (thestar.com.my) Barcelona’s message was that the tie was still alive. Lamine Yamal said on Monday that a comeback “is not impossible,” as Barcelona tried to avoid a quarter-final exit and keep its European run going. (thestar.com.my) By kickoff, the equation was simple: Atlético needed to protect the margin it earned in Catalonia, and Barcelona needed a rare away rescue to extend its season in Europe. (uefa.com, thestar.com.my)