FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid : Predicted lineups

FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid : Predicted lineups

Only 10 days ago it was really difficult to envisage any team managing to stop Barcelona’s seemingly inexorable match toward an unprecedented and justified back-to-back treble. But in another illustration of how soon things can change and how little can really be taken for granted, the mood has altered to such an ominous degree that the word “crisis” is now being whispered carefully by some in connection with Luis Enrique’s all-conquering team.

FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid : Predicted lineups

In the Champions League, Atletico are literally breathing down their necks. A narrow 2-1 victory over Diego Simeone’s outfit in the first leg of their Barcelona vs Atletico quarterfinal last week leaves Barcelona’s progression in the balance in check before going into Wednesday’s second leg at the Vicente Calderon arena.

The first leg between the sides at the Camp Nou was nothing less than a fiery affair that featured 12 yellow cards, even one red card and several moments of controversial consequence. Fernando Torres was given two bookings within only 11 minutes of Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid clash giving Atletico the lead.

After the match, both Simeone and defender Filipe Luis suggested UEFA officials give Barcelona some preferential treatment, pointing to Torres’ sending off and also the failure to give Luis Suárez the same punishment for the kicking out at Juanfran.

Suárez would go onto have a significantly crucial impact on the game, scoring two second-half goals as FC Barcelona finally managed to take advantage of Atletico’s inferior numerical disadvantage. The Uruguayan’s importance to his team was evident once again in his absence from the Barcelona lineup on Saturday.

With Suárez rested, along with other veterans Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba, Barcelona failed to break down Real Sociedad efficiently at the Anoeta, going down to a shocking 1-0 defeat.

While without Torres, Atletico could now be boosted by the availability of fellow center-backs José María Giménez and Stefan Savic, with both being back in training.