FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid: Match preview

FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid: Match preview

Gerard Pique says Barcelona do not require to use Saturday’s defeat to Real Madrid as a depressing wake-up call ahead of their FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid Champions League clash – a match he expects to be even tougher than the Clasico itself.

FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid: Match preview

Barca saw their record-breaking undefeated run come to an end after going down 2-1 to 10-man Real Madrid at the Nou Camp, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting an 85th-minute winning goal.

It was a chastening defeat against their greatest rivals but, with a six-point lead in the Primera Division already, a Copa del Rey final to look forward to and also a crunch Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico to play, defender Pique strongly insists there is no need to blow the result out of proportion as it is being, right now.

The Spain international, who headed Barcelona into a 56th-minute lead against Real, told a press conference on Monday: “We don’t need a wake-up call because we already know how difficult and complicated it is to win every game.

“Emotionally it’s a defeat like any other. We went 39 games without losing and at times it happens. Onwards.

“We’re ready to play another game on Tuesday and to do very well. Tomorrow is a unique opportunity to have a great game and leave the bar very high.”

Treble-chasing Barcelona go into this Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg at the Nou Camp having won a staggering six successive matches against Atletico.

However, Atletico will have really fond memories of their last European clash with Barcelona, having knocked their Spanish rivals out at the same phase of the competition two years ago.

Holders Barca will be without their injured defenders Jeremy Mathieu, Aleix Vidal and Adriano for the FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid match, which could see Lionel Messi reach 500 career goals. The Argentina striker is currently on 499 for club and his country.

Atletico will be determined to make sure does not happen on Tuesday night and they have been tremendously boosted by the return to fitness of key centre-back Diego Godin.