Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: Champions League preview and predicted lineups
Atlético de Madrid host Barcelona in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, targeting a semi-final slot.
Julián Alvarez’s magnificent free-kick, moments after Pau Cubarsí’s first-half dismissal, proved decisive as Atleti claimed a 2-0 first-leg win at the Camp Nou. Barcelona had looked the more dangerous team before the red card, with Marcus Rashford posing the biggest threat, but Diego Simeone’s side were clinical when it mattered, Alexander Sørloth adding the second, despite Atleti registering just nine touches in the box and five attempts on goal.
You might also like
The second leg presents a different dynamic, however. Hansi Flick is confident Barcelona can respond, though history favours the Rojiblancos, who have won both previous Champions League quarter-final ties between the clubs (2-1agg in 2013/14; 3-2agg in 2015/16).
Despite their disciplined defensive display at the Camp Nou, Atleti have not been goal shy at the Estadio Metropolitano in Europe, hitting five against Frankfurt and Tottenham and four against Club Brugge, with Alvarez’s prolific Champions League form, 15 goals in his last 18 appearances, including five in this season’s knockout phase, reinforcing that threat.
Whether Barcelona face a Simeone side that defends deep or attacks on the front foot could define the tie.
Views from the camps
Diego Simeone, Atleti coach: “We know the opponent we are going to face, and we are aware of how strong they are, but we are also aware of what our objective is – to advance,” he stated.
Koke, Atleti midfielder: “My team-mates are incredibly motivated. It’s normal that they [Barcelona] believe they can come back; it’d be strange if they didn’t. We’re excited to play a great match against a great rival in our stadium,” Koke said.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach: “It’s possible [to come back], why not? We’re playing against a very strong Atleti side, so we will need a very strong performance. We need to take all the chances we get because that was the difference between us and them in the last match,” he added
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona forward: “We promise that, if we are eliminated, we will have fought until the end. We will give everything for this badge. It will be a game of 90 minutes or more. It’s not over. It’s very possible to come back, and that’s why we’re here,” he explained.
Key stats
Overall, the teams have played 252 matches, Barcelona winning 115 and scoring 472 goals to Atleti’s 81 victories and 373 goals.
This is Atleti’s 27th European match against a Spanish club (W12 D5 L9) and Barcelona’s 26th (W7 D6 L12).
Before this tie Atleti’s last European contests against a Spanish club came in the 2024/25 round of 16, when they were eliminated by Real Madrid (1-2 a, 1-0 h, 2-4 pens).
That made Los Colchoneros’ two-legged record against Liga teams W5 L5.
Atleti are unbeaten in their ten previous home European games against Liga opposition, winning eight and drawing two.
Possible line-ups
Atleti: Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Llorente, Koke; Simeone, Griezmann, Lookman; Alvarez
Barcelona: Joan García; Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Gerard Martín, João Cancelo; Eric García, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín López, Rashford; Lewandowski
