Three matches in ten days between the same two clubs. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid meet again tonight at Camp Nou, this time with a place in the Champions League semi-finals on the line.
Barcelona won the La Liga encounter 2-1 at the Metropolitano on Saturday through a late Lewandowski shoulder-touch, but Atletico barely played. Diego Simeone rested most of his key players for the European showdown. Julian Alvarez, Griezmann, Lookman and Koke all start tonight. Marc Pubill is doubtful with a fitness concern. Pablo Barrios, Johnny Cardoso and Jose Gimenez remain out injured.
Barca arrive at their own ground as strong favourites. They are seven points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga with eight games to play and have beaten Atletico in their last three home UCL meetings. Hansi Flick's message to the dressing room has been consistent — kill off the tie in the first leg. The Metropolitano on April 14 will be a different beast entirely.
Barca's injury picture is manageable. Ronald Araujo is fit after his hamstring overload scare on Saturday. Marc Bernal is out with the ankle sprain that ended his afternoon early at the Metropolitano. Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha remain out. Pedri is available and expected to start.
The likely lineups:
Barcelona 4-2-3-1: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Lewandowski.
Atletico Madrid 4-4-2: Musso; Llorente, Gimenez, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Baena, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Key subplot: this is Marcus Rashford's biggest night in a Barcelona shirt. His first goal since January came at the Metropolitano in the La Liga meeting — if he can sustain that level, he gives Barca a dimension they have been missing.
Simeone's warning shot at full-time on Saturday was brief but pointed. To Flick as he walked off the pitch, he said simply: "You have to come back."
Kick-off at the Spotify Camp Nou is 9pm CET.
