At a glance
- FC Barcelona trail Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the Champions League quarterfinal.
- They must beat Diego Simeone’s men in the second leg at the Metropolitano to advance.
- Only one team, Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United in 2019, has overcome such a margin in the UCL knockout stages.
- FC Barcelona Confirmed Starting Line Up Vs. Atletico Madrid: Garcia; Kounde, Eric, Gerard, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri, Olmo; Lamine, Ferran, Fermin
Hansi Flick will make big calls in midfield for FC Barcelona’s must-win Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
The Catalans trail 2-0 in the tie after a disastrous first leg at the Spotify Camp Nou last week. No team has overcome such a deficit to advance in the competition’s knockout phase save for Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United in 2019 against PSG, but Barca have mounted two successful remontadas in the Metropolitano over the past year.
Speaking after Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing of Espanyol and to the press in prematch duties, Hansi Flick and his men are confident of doing it once more and don’t think they need a “miracle” to meet Arsenal or Sporting CP in the last four.
Barcelona have one key absence in defence
This match will be played without one of Flick’s best players, after Pau Cubarsi received a red card in the first leg for bringing down Giuliano Simeone.
In his absence, Eric Garcia partners Gerard Martin in the defence. At right back we find Jules Kounde, while there can be no doubts that Joao Cancelo is the man at left back still keeping Alejandro Balde out of the team.
Also a left winger in essence, Cancelo gives Flick an extra attacking dimension. When he charges forward, Eric, Gerard and Kounde can form a back three and this will be key as the Blaugrana chase goals.
Barcelona’s midfield isn’t as expected
Contrary to expectations, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong don’t man the centre of the park for the Catalans. Instead, Gavi gets a shock nod alongside Pedri with Dani Olmo the CAM.
Rashford needs to deliver again
Lauded for his equaliser in the 2-1 La Liga win at the Metropolitano but criticised for missing sitters against Atleti in the Champions League, Rashford is benched in favour of Fermin Lopez.
Ferran’s brace against Espanyol was enough to convince Flick to start him as a striker, meaning Robert Lewandowski gets left out.
On the right flank, there can be no doubts about a Lamine Yamal who showed a wisdom beyond his years at the press conference on Monday.
FC Barcelona Expected Starting Line Up Vs. Atletico Madrid: Garcia; Kounde, Eric, Gerard, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri, Olmo; Lamine, Ferran, Fermin
