The Champions League quarter-finals are upon us, with potential classics on the horizon. Among them is the clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, marking their fifth meeting since December. Both teams are familiar with each other, setting the stage for a potentially fiery encounter.
A Grumpy History This Season
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have already met multiple times this season. The first of three quickfire matches in La Liga was a bad-tempered affair. Barcelona came from behind to win against an Atleti side who almost sh*thoused their way to a point after playing the entire second half down to 10 men.
Barcelona completed a league double against Atletico. However, Atletico knocked Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey, winning one match 4-0 and losing another 3-0 in February and March.
Tough Tests in the Last 16
Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are in the quarter-finals after overcoming Premier League opposition in the last 16. Barcelona’s win over Newcastle looked comprehensive on paper, but Atletico’s victory over Spurs was decisive early in the first leg.
Potential for Aggro
More bad-tempered aggro is expected when Barcelona and Atletico Madrid face each other. There is a very high chance of Scenes Nobody Wants To See.
Arsenal’s Champions League Ambitions
Arsenal’s trip to Sporting seemed like a mere stepping stone when the last 16 was being completed all the way back in the middle of last month, but that’s no longer quite the case as the Gunners head to Portugal looking for a response to the collapse of 50 per cent of their quadruple.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich also face a heavyweight clash in the Champions League quarter-finals.