Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona summary: score, stats, goals & highlights | Champions League 2025/26

The Tactics Board

Flick needed more from Pedri while Musso stood tall as Atleti held firm in Champions League quarter-final

AS's tactics expert, Javier Sillés, has delivered his verdict on Atlético's victory over Barcelona.

“Ultimately, it was not Barcelona's night,” Javier writes. “They leave Europe earlier than hoped, despite their bold, recognizable footballing style, but one that must now be examined to determine whether it is the best approach in these scenarios to achieve what they really want at this level.”

Read Javier's tactical assessment in full.

Cholo cock-a-hoop

Diego Simeone, meanwhile, is tingling with anticipation after leading Atlético to the Champions League last four for the fourth time in his 14-year tenure as head coach. Speaking to Spanish TV channel Movistar Plus, Simeone purred: “We get to play in the Champions League semifinals - brilliant.”

"We deserved to reach the semifinals"

Hansi Flick has praised his Barcelona team, despite their elimination. The German says Barça deserved to progress:

Champions League

How much money Atlético Madrid earned for reaching the Champions League semi-finals

After a vibrant tie against Barça, Atlético Madrid are into the Champions League semis - and have boosted their coffers.

AS USA's Sergio García and Joe Brennan have the lowdown.

Champions League

Barcelona fury as García sees red after VAR review in Atleti Champions clash

In both legs, Barcelona had a defender sent off after bringing his opponent down as the last man. A week ago, it was Pau Cubarsí who was dismissed; today, it was Eric García, who could be seen throwing his shirt down in anger as he marched down the tunnel.

AS's resident refereeing expert, the former FIFA official Eduardo Iturralde González, supported the decision to send García off. “Looking at the replay, for me it's more of a red than a yellow. It’s a red, and VAR has to intervene,” Iturralde González said.

Check out the full story.

Rojiblancos in raptures

Here's some footage of the postmatch scenes at the Estadio Metropolitano, where Antoine Griezmann led the home fans' celebrations:

Barça blues

Barcelona's players applaud their travelling supporters after the final whistle in Madrid.

"Still wasn't enough"

According to our friends at SofaScore, Lamine Yamal became only the third player since 2010/11 to create four or more big chances in a Champions League knockout-phase game.

Griezmann gunning for UCL glory

Antoine Griezmann is off to MLS this summer, with Orlando City waiting to welcome the Frenchman to the U.S.

When Atlético lost the 2016 Champions League final to Real Madrid, Griezmann missed a penalty. His Atleti career is almost over, but he's still in the hunt to close out his time with Los Rojiblancos by finally securing the biggest club prize of them all.

Atlético elation

Atlético's players celebrate their Champions League win with the home fans inside the Estadio Metropolitano.

Barça's UCL title wait continues

As for Barcelona, the wait for a sixth European title goes on. It's 11 years and counting since the Catalans were last crowned continental kings.

Barring a major collapse, however, Barça can at least prepare to celebrate a second successive LaLiga title. Hansi Flick's men are nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, with just seven games left to play.

Barça can take a step closer to a 29th domestic championship on Wednesday next week, when they host Celta Vigo at Camp Nou.

Cup double is on for Atleti

Atlético may be well off the title pace in LaLiga, but they're still on for a trophy double in the cups.

Not only can Los Rojiblancos look forward to a Champions League semifinal, but they also have a Copa del Rey final to play this weekend.

Diego Simeone's men take on Real Sociedad in Seville on Saturday, at 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT.

Barça's bete noire

According to soccer stats guru Mister Chip, Atlético have joined Paris Saint-Germain as Barça's most-hated Champions League knockout stage opponent.

Atleti and PSG have both knocked the Blaugrana out on an unsurpassed three occasions.

Who do Atlético play in the UCL semifinals?

As for Atlético, they will take on either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the last four.

The Gunners, who lead 1-0 from the first leg, host Sporting at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

Champions League

Liverpool vs PSG summary: score, stats, goals & highlights | Champions League 2025/26

In Liverpool, PSG have repeated the scoreline from last week's first leg. Two goals by Ousmane Dembélé have sealed a 4-0 aggregate win for the holders, who will now face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the semis.

Check out the summary of the action at Anfield.

Atleti complete UCL hat-trick over Barça

The first half hour of this second leg did not go well at all for Atleti - but after conceding those two Barça strikes, Los Colchoneros fought back to score a fine goal through Ademola Lookman.

For much of the second half, it was Barça who were on top; the visitors even had the ball in the net, only for Ferran's strike to be ruled out for offside. But after Eric García was sent off for the Blaugrana, Atleti's task was made that little bit more straightforward. They saw the tie out, and continue their perfect Champions League knockout record against Barça.

Atleti have now eliminated Barça out in three out of three UCL knockout ties: in 2013/14, 2015/16 and 2025/26.

Simeone waves his arms furiously from the touchline, pleading with the referee to blow his whistle. And blow his whistle he does!

It's all over, and Atlético have knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League again! Los Rojiblancos return to the semifinals for the first time in nine years.

What a tie.

Barça continue to press desperately for an equalizer, with Atlético camped on the edge of their penalty box.

For a moment, a ball from the right looks like it's going to fall to Rashford, in acres of space at the back post. But the Englishman can't control!

Seconds later, another right-wing ball arrows right onto Araújo's bonce. It's a clear header... but he can only nod it over the bar! He holds his head in anguish. That may have been the chance.

Back come Barça, who work it from side to side before De Jong clips in a cross from the left.

De Jong has plenty of men waiting in the middle, but his pass is too close to Musso. The keeper comes out to claim.

Araújo is, I probably don't need to tell you, playing as a makeshift center forward.

From the left, Rashford lifts a cross into the middle, with Aráujo his target. He's a handful, alright, but Atlético deal with this one.

Five minutes between Atlético and the Champions League semifinals.

There's a headed chance for Lewandowski! Pedri lifts it in from the right, but the Pole can only glance it straight at Musso.

At the other end, Cardoso plays it inside the box to Llorente, who tries to barrel his way into shooting space. He can't, and Barça - despite doing their best to give it right back to Atlético - clear.

Nine minutes of time added on in the Spanish capital.

Changes for both teams. For Barcelona, Joao Cancelo and Olmo are off for Ronald Araújo and Roony Bardghji.

For Atlético, Johnny Cardoso replaces Koke, who leaves the field to huge applause.

Oh, that was a real chance for Atlético to kill the tie once and for all.

Barça commit men forward in search of a leveller - and when they lose it, they're in trouble. Sorloth leads the break, before slipping Molina clear into space, where he can run in behind the Barça defense.

Molina is clearly knackered, though. He can't break clear, and finally slaps a weak shot straight down García's gullet.

Atleti are five minutes, plus stoppage time, away from their first Champions Leagues semifinal since 2017.

Nico brings it forward, before slipping it left. The substitute continues his run into the box, and when it falls back at his feet, he strikes a low, ferocious shot towards goal. It flashes just past Joan García's left-hand post!

Ah, but the flag is up. 

In Liverpool, by the way, PSG are now 1-0 up. Ousmane Dembélé gave the Parisians the lead after 71 minutes at Anfield. It's now 3-0 on aggregate, and the holders can start preparing for the semis.

Follow Liverpool vs PSG live.

Frenkie de Jong is on for Barcelona, who bring off Gavi. De Jong, one assumes, will drop into the center of defense.

Well, it's very much advantage Atleti now. And the hosts have a direct free-kick that Álvarez will take from the edge of the box.

A week ago, Atlético won a free-kick that led to a Barça red, and that led to a wonderful goal by Álvarez...

This time, however, Álvarez's shot is too close to Joan García.

Ah, but Sorloth is not offside and Turpin is now going to have another look at that red card decision!

He trots over to the pitchside monitor, and doesn't take long to decide that, indeed, Eric was the last man. Red card!

Barça had been on top for much of this second half, but Atlético have their tails up now.

Right away, Sorloth is suddenly streaking in behind the Barça defense... and is dragged down by Eric García!

Turpin reaches for a yellow, rather than a red, card, but the flag is up! Sorloth is ruled to be offside.

Here comes Sorloth, who is on for Griezmann.

A double chance for Atlético! The first of which should probably be a goal.

Somehow, Joan García stops Le Normand from scoring from point blank range. The ball is whipped into the Barça area, before dropping right at Le Normand's feet, on the edge of the six-yard box. He gets a firm enough strike on it, but García gets a leg in the way!

A moment later, the ball falls to Llorente, who strikes from some 25 yards out. It's a bit of a trundler, though. This one is more of a routine save for García.

Ruggeri, wearing a large blue bandage around his head, is back on.

Alexander Sorloth is stripped and preparing to come on for the home side.

Gavi has been booked, presumably for said flailing arm.

We're still waiting for play to restart.

It really is very difficult to keep up with this.

First, Atlético get Llorente steaming into the Barça box, before he shoots from an angle. Llorente is pushed quite far wide, though, and he can only fizz his effort across goal and past García's far post.

A moment later, Ruggeri is left in a heap on the turf, after Gavi catches him with a flailing arm as the pair jump for a high ball. Like Fermín before him, Ruggeri needs some patching up.

Here's that twin change for Barça: Fermín and Ferran are replaced by Rashford and Lewnadowski.

Having watched Lamine hoodwink two men, Álvarez does the same at the other end. The Argentine wiggles and dances on the left-hand byline, looking for an opening to play the ball in the box. He finds that opening... but there's nobody there to follow up!

Atlético end up making a double substitution: Lookman and Giuliano are off for Baena and Nico González.

That is, yet again, wonderful play by Lamine. And it's a decent old chance for Olmo.

Somehow, Lamine wriggles in between two men on the right-hand side of the Atleti box, before laying it off to Olmo. From about 15 yards or so out, Olmo shoots - but he lifts it over!

Both teams are preparing changes. Álex Baena is about to come on for Atlético, while Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski are limbering up for Barcelona.

Again Barça come at Atlético. On the right-hand byline, Lamine produces a sumptuous piece of close control as he makes a bee-line for the danger zone. Lamine shows a slick change of feet right on the touchline... but he ends up bamboozling himself. The ball runs just out of play.

Right away, however, Atlético get their attempts to bring the ball out all wrong.

Barça have it once more, and Olmo tries a shot. It is not a good shot.

Undeterred by that blow, Barça take control of the ball once more.

After a good minute or so of possession inside the Atleti half, Martín lifts a long, slightly hopeful ball into the area, towards Olmo's backpost run.

It's meat and drink for Musso, as they say. A bit of a gift from Martín.

Goal disallowed!

VAR is going to have a look at this... and VAR rules out it. Replays show that Ferran was offside.

Monsieur Turpin blows his whistle and raises his arm up into the air to signal offside, prompting huge cheers of relief from the home fans inside the Estadio Metropolitano. 

Atlético remain ahead in the tie.

Back come Barça, though. And Musso has to pull off a fine save!

Koundé lifts it into the box from the right, creating a chance for Ferran to slide in at the back post, but Musso dives down to block!

Ah, but that's more encouraging for Atlético, who finally get out of their own half.

Álvarez leads the break, carrying the ball at pace to the edge of the Barça box. He has no space to shoot - but what he does have is Lookman, arriving behind him in support.

Lookman receives, looks up, and shoots - but fires just past Joan García's left-hand post! 

The second half has, thus far, been played almost entirely inside the Atlético half.

The longer Barça have it, the louder the whistles from the nervous home fans get.

Eric García is down and in some pain, after a nasty fall. He jumped to challenge for an aerial ball, and landed very awkwardly indeed.

Thankfully, García looks like he'll be OK. Could have some himself a bit of damage there.

Now Fermín tries to feed a low ball in behind the Atlético defense, and into the run of Ferran. Le Norman steps across to deal with it.

Immediately, Pedri carries the ball towards the Atlético box, before slipping it right to Lamine.

We all know what's coming next: Lamine drops a shoulder, shifts the ball onto his left, and cuts inside in search of space to shoot. 

Shoot he does, from about 25 yards out... but it's blocked.

Peeeep! The second half is go. More of the same please, chaps, if you could be ever so kind.

Confirmed: No half-time substitutions for either team.

Back at the Estadio Metropolitano, the players are making their way out of the tunnel now.

It doesn't look like there are any half-time changes.

Still scoreless on Merseyside

At Anfield incidentally, it is still goalless. As things stand, holders PSG are heading into a semifinal against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

Follow live-text commentary of Liverpool vs PSG here.

The winner of Atlético vs Barcelona, meanwhile, will set up a last-four matchup with Arsenal or Sporting CP. Los Rojiblancos are heading through as it stands... but I'm not confident this second leg will end 2-1.

Champions League

Atlético Madrid fans create sensational atmosphere ahead of Barcelona showdown in Champions League

Some half-time reading for you: my colleague Joe Brennan has more on the Atleti fans' rapturous welcome for their team tonight.

Barça's early birds

As is pointed out by our friends at SofaScore, Lamine's goal was Barça's earliest goal in a Champions League knockout game since a Lionel Messi opener against Chelsea back in 2018.

This is 40

And it's also worth noting that Lamine Yamal's fourth-minute opener was the teenager's 40th Barcelona goal involvement in all competitions this season.

Ferocious Ferran

Seven minutes before Lookman's goal for Atlético, Ferran Torres had levelled up the quarterfinal tie with this thumping finish into Juan Musso's top corner.

Lethal Lookman

From Marcos Llorente's pass, Ademola Lookman strokes Atlético back into an aggregate lead.

Peeep peeep peeep! Atlético head into the break ahead, but only after seeing their 2-0 first-leg lead wiped out in 25 minutes.

Lamine and Ferran levelled up the tie, before Atleti hit back with a beautifully worked goal. Lookman swept home Llorente's pass, and at half time of tonight's quarterfinal second leg, the hosts hold a 3-2 aggregate lead.

I would venture that we have not seen the last of the goals.

No matter: Barcelona win a free-kick, which Ferran will strike from 25 yards out. This really is the final action of the half.

Ferran takes it, and Ferran skies it. 

And that will be that for now! Cracking first 45.

Time almost up. Can anyone create a final chance in this first half? 

Barcelona very nearly do. Olmo turns and fizzes it forward to Ferran, who might be in... but he can't control!

There's a shooting chance for Lookman, who is lurking on the left-hand corner of the Barça box.

Giuliano's ball trundles across the top of the area and to the feet of the Nigerian, who has the opportunity to cut back onto his right and strike. His effort is blocked, though.

Cancelo tries to slip a pass forward towards the Atlético box, but it deflects off Giuliano's boot and behind. Corner for Barça, right? Nope: Turpin gives a goal-kick. The Barça players are suitably baffled.

Four minutes of time added on.

Flick's history boys

Tonight's Barça lineup, by the way, is the club's youngest ever in a Champions League knockout game.

Just under five to go in this first half, plus stoppage time. I'd be happy enough if they just carried on playing. It's been a fabulous first half.

Ooh, I say. It is non-stop at the Metropolitano. 

First, Olmo falls to the turf in the Atlético box, under Koke's challenge. Nothing doing.

A moment later, Lamine pings it low into the area to Ferran - who is denied by Musso, who charges quickly off his line.

At one end, Lookman touches the ball back to Griezmann, who looks up and tries a shot from the left-hand corner of the Barça box.

Griezmann's effort is blocked, and back come Barça. Fermín lifts a ball into the middle towards Lamine, but Lenglet deals with it.

Who's winning this tie? It's anybody's guess right now. I, as a neutral, am delighted by this.

The home fans are making much more noise now, and Atlético look much more confident.

With Barça pushed back, Griezmann shows excellent fight to keep the ball, before it's worked right to Molina. Molina tries to find Giuliano's run towards the byline, but overhits his pass. Still, the hosts look much happier with life now.

The Metropolitano is hogging all the goals thus far: Over at Anfield, it remains scoreless. A reminder that PSG hold a 2-0 lead from last week's first leg.

Follow Liverpool vs PSG here.

Play is now back underway. And, having been patched up by Barça's medical staff, Fermín is back on.

Barça are level, and this first half has been sub-optimal for Atleti.

We're now a couple of minutes into a stoppage: after meeting that Lamine cross, Fermín's head collided with Musso's outstretched boot, leaving the youngster with a rather bloodied nose. He's now getting treatment.

Unbelievable. Right away, Barça are very, very close to a third.

Again, of course, it's sublime stuff from Lamine. He clips an outside-of-the-boot cross into the box, where Fermín has yards and yards of space. 

Fermín's header is planted goalwards, but Musso just gets enough on it! 

That's bright play by Lookman, who produces a stepover before fizzing a low ball into the middle. 

Griezmann is there to meet the cross at the near post, but Martín is also there! He blocks Griezmann's attempted shot, and wins a goal-kick in the process.

Stop press: a Lamine rick. With Barça pinning Atleti back, Koundé slips a pass right to Lamine, who has peeled off in search of the ball. Koundé's pass is right to Lamine's boot, but the Spain international miscontrols. It rolls out for an Atleti throw-in.

Just for a moment, Atlético look like launching a very promising counter. Lookman's diagonal inside ball finds Álvarez, who, in turn, wants to spread it out right to Giuliano. Álvarez is tackled just as he tries to play the pass, however. Griezmann tries to rescue the loose ball, but can't. Barça ball once more.

Once Barça do get the ball back, though, Pedri very nearly releases Ferran into the box.

It's a lovely little ball, and Ferran is already preparing to pull the trigger. But Le Normand steps in just in time, and the chance is lost.

It's been a fast-and-furious first 15, but the action now takes a little bit of a lull. Atleti get their foot on the ball and, though they don't do much at all with it, they at least prevent Barça from doing anything with it for a minute or two.

Again Barcelona work it to Lamine on the right; in the form he's in, one imagines they will be looking for him at every single opportunity.

This time, however, Ruggeri deals with the winger. Lamine flops to the turf and wants a free-kick, but Clément Turpin says: no.

After that Olmo chance, Griezmann very nearly released Lookman into space on the left; the Nigerian's pace on the wing will be crucial.

A minute or two later, Koke lifts a ball towards the Barça box, but the visitors deal with it.

Lamine is very much on his game; Atleti can't really deal with him right now. Having scored the opener a few minutes ago, he now finds Olmo, who is very nearly in for a second goal. Only Musso's quick reactions deny Olmo: the keeper is very quickly off his line to smother the midfielder's attempted shot.

There's an opening for Lookman - can he deliver a quickfire Atlético response?

Nope.

The ball drops to the forward at the back post, in space to shoot. But he snatches at it, and slices it into the side netting.

I am going to go out on a limb and venture that conceding a calamitous fourth-minute goal is not in the Simeone keep-it-tight playbook.

It's been a frenetic first couple of minutes in Madrid.

Fresh from that immediate forward incursion by Lamine, Atleti hit back right away. It's worked right to Giuliano, who's in a very good position to square it. Men are waiting in the middle.

Giuliano's cross is blocked, though. Nevertheless, the home fans roar in approval at their team's sprightly early play.

Right away, Lamine Yamal demonstrates that he is, indeed, quite good at football.

Scampering towards the Atlético box, he drifts left onto his favored boot, before boshing a low effort towards Musso's right-hand corner. The Atleti goalkeeper does very well to get down quickly and beat it away!

Peeeep! Monsier Turpin gets us underway!

Final reminder of the teams

A last look at the lineups:

Atlético Madrid

Musso, Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri, Giuliano, Llorente, Koke, Lookman, Griezmann, Álvarez.

Barcelona

Joan García, Koundé, Eric García, Martin, Cancelo, Fermín, Gavi, Pedri, Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Ferran.
 

Who is the referee?

The match referee in Madrid is France's Clément Turpin, who heads up an all-French team of officials.

The video assistant referee is Jerome Brisard.

Out come the teams!

It is very loud inside the Metropolitano, where the teams are out and the anthem has been played.

We're just handshakes and a coin toss away from game time.

Champions League

Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona: How to watch today’s Champions League game played at the Metropolitano

Incidentally, if you're wondering how you can watch the action at the Estadio Metropolitano, let me point you in the direction of our guide on where to tune in.

Who else is in action in the UCL quarterfinals?

Tonight, holders Paris Saint-Germain go to Anfield to defend a 2-0 first leg lead against Liverpool. Luis Enrique's men were very much the better team in the opener in Paris.

You can follow live-text commentary of Liverpool vs PSG here.

PSG or Liverpool will progress to a last-four clash against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. The Germans, who host Los Blancos in the second leg tomorrow, hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg at the Bernabéu.

Who awaits in the UCL semifinals?

Whoever does progress at the Metropolitano today, they'll be rewarded with a semifinal clash with either Arsenal or Sporting CP. Those two teams meet in the second leg at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

The Gunners lead that tie 1-0 after the first leg in Lisbon, where Kai Havertz bagged a late winner for the visitors.

Opta opts overwhelming for Atlético

Ahead of tonight's second leg in Madrid, Opta's supercomputer has crunched the numbers - and given Atlético a 78.9% chanceof booking a ticket to the semis. Barça’s prospects of pulling off a memorable Champions League comeback are valued at just 21.1%

Champions League

Barcelona coach Flick caught making ‘grass’ complaint to UEFA ahead of Atlético Madrid UCL game

Having seethed about the officiating in the first leg, Barça boss Hansi Flick has also been grumbling about the state of the Metropolitano pitch; he apparently felt the grass was too long. Cameras captured the German, channelling his inner Xavi Hernández yesterday.

What the coaches said: Hansi Flick

Warmups underway in Madrid

Julián Álvarez warms up with his Atlético teammates in the Spanish capital.

What the coaches said: Diego Simeone

Here are some more images of the Atlético team bus's arrival at the Estadio Metropolitano:

Colchoneros concentrating on cups

For Atlético, the focus is now very much on the cup competitions. Alongside this Champions League quarterfinal, Los Colchoneros have a Copa del Rey final date to look forward to: that's this coming Saturday, against Real Sociedad in Seville.

Atleti are aiming for their first Copa win since 2013, and their first major silverware since LaLiga title win in 2020/21.

Atleti adrift in LaLiga

While Barcelona are streaking to the domestic title, Atlético are well off the title pace in LaLiga. They sit fourth, in little danger of being caught by fifth-placed Real Betis, but 22 points behind the leaders.

A second-string Atlético - Simone made 10 changes from the first leg against Barça - lost 2-1 to struggling Sevilla.

Julián in the house

Here is Julián Álvarez, complete with the mate mug that is a nigh-on contractual obligation for any Argentinian footballer.

Atlético have also checked in at the Metropolitano, where the home fans were waiting outside to give the team bus the warmest of welcomes.

At a glance: Barça's recent form

Barcelona's last five results:

Apr. 11: Barcelona 4-1 Espanyol, LaLiga
Apr. 8: Barcelona 0-2 Atlético Madrid, UCL
Apr. 4: Atlético Madrid 1-2 Barcelona, LaLiga
Mar. 22: Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano, LaLiga
Mar. 18: Barcelona 7-2 Newcastle United, UCL

Barça's LaLiga winning run

Barça's weekend win over Espanyol, in which Ferran Torres starred with a brace, was the Blaugrana's seventh in a row in LaLiga.

Indeed, last week's first-leg defeat to Atlético is Barça’s only loss in all competitions since February 16.

Barça bounding to LaLiga title

Ten days ago, a 2-1 victory for Barcelona at the Metropolitano - courtesy of a late, lucky finish by Robert Lewandowski - took Hansi Flick's men one step closer to a second straight LaLiga title.

And this Saturday, Barça moved even closer: after a 4-1 demolition of city rivals Espanyol, Barça are nine points clear at the top of the Spanish top flight, thanks to Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Girona on Friday.

If Barça do secure this year's LaLiga title, it will be the club's 29th overall.

Barça check in at the Metropolitano

Here, courtesy of Barcelona's social-media team, is the squad's arrival at the Estadio Metropolitano a short while ago:

At a glance: Atlético vs Barcelona in 2025/26

Dec. 2, 2025: Barcelona 3-1 Atlético Madrid, LaLiga
Feb. 12, 2026: Atlético Madrid 4-0 Barcelona, Copa del Rey
Mar. 3, 2026: Barcelona 3-0 Atlético Madrid, Copa del Rey
Apr. 4, 2026: Atlético Madrid 1-2 Barcelona, LaLiga
Apr. 8, 2026: Barcelona 0-2 Atlético Madrid, UCL

When Barça almost stunned Atleti with Copa comeback

As is the case tonight, Barça were tasked with pulling off a second-leg comeback in this year's Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético. And they came mighty close.

In the opening leg in February, Atlético utterly blew Barça away: Simeone's men won 4-0, with all four goals scored in the first half.

The following month, the return leg saw Barça dish out a demolition of their own. The Catalans came within a whisker of turning the tie around, winning 3-0 thanks to two Marc Bernal goals, either side of a Raphinha penalty.

The big difference on that occasion, though, was that the second leg was at Camp Nou. On this occasion, Barça must stage a fightback on the road.

Yet another Atleti-Barça matchup

Today's game in the Spanish capital will be Atlético and Barcelona's sixth meeting in all competitions this season. It'll also be the third time they've played this month.

Before last week's Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Barça were 2-1 winners in a LaLiga clash in Madrid on April 4. The clubs also met in a Copa del Rey semifinal earlier this year - a two-legged tie won by Atleti - while December brought a 3-1 league victory for Barça at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona

Raphinha injury update: How long Barcelona star will be out after hamstring setback confirmed

A reminder that Raphinha remains sidelined by a hamstring injury suffered on Brazil duty in late March.

He's expected to miss around five weeks with the issue.

Read more about Raphinha's latest hamstring troubles.

Blaugrana's prematch recce

Barcelona players - including the injured Raphinha, center - take a stroll on the Metropolitano turf ahead of kickoff.

I can also confirm that Atlético's kit has been neatly laid out in the Metropolitano locker room.

Lenglet partners Le Normand; Musso keeps gloves

Simeone makes just the one change from the first leg: Clément Lenglet, once of Barcelona, comes in for the injured Dávid Hancko. Lenglet will partner Le Normand in a central defensive pairing that is somewhat second-choice: Atleti's go-to duo has, in recent times, been Hancko and Marc Pubill, who is suspended.

In goal, understudy Juan Musso keeps his place, despite Jan Oblak's return to fitness.

Atleti XI confirmed

Diego Simeone has also named his XI: Musso, Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri, Giuliano, Llorente, Koke, Lookman, Griezmann, Álvarez.

Fermín, Ferran and Gavi in for Barça

Hansi Flick has made three changes to the Barcelona team that started last week's first leg, with Fermín López, Ferran Torres and Gavi all coming into the visitors' XI.

The suspended Pau Cubarsí drops out of the defense, while forwards Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski also make way. Eric García, it seems, will cover Cubarsí's absence by slipping back into the center of the backline.

Barça XI confirmed

Barcelona's lineup is out! Hansi Flick starts with: Joan, Koundé, Eric García, Martin, Cancelo, Fermín, Gavi, Pedri, Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Ferran.

Atleti's UCL home comforts

Having armed themselves with a 2-0 first-leg lead, the history books now point to a series triumph for Atlético Madrid.

After all, they haven't lost a Champions League knockout game at their home stadium in the Spanish capital in 20 matches. It's a run that stretches back three decades to a 3-2 defeat to Ajax back in 1996/97.

Atlético have, technically, lost a ‘home’ Champions League tie since 96/97: in 2020/21, they suffered a last-16 defeat to Chelsea. However, that game was played in Bucharest because of covid-19 travel restrictions.

Can Atleti make it a UCL hat-trick against Barça?

Tonight's second leg completes the third Champions League knockout tie between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona.

All three have come in the quarterfinals - and, so far, Atleti have a 100% success rate.

Los Colchoneros were 2-1 aggregate winners in the 2013/14 last eight, before enjoying a 3-2 aggregate triumph over the Blaugrana in 2015/16.

On both occasions, incidentally, Atleti went on to reach the Champions League final. (And on both occasions, of course, they lost those finals to city rivals Real Madrid.)

Champions League

UEFA issue blunt response to Barcelona’s handball complaint

UEFA, however, has given Barcelona's complaint short shrift.

In a statement, the organization's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body said it had “declared the protest inadmissible”.

Read the full story, courtesy of my colleagues Aritz Gabilondo and Calum Roche.

Champions League

“Unfathomable”: Barça blast UEFA as LaLiga giants lodge referee complaint

Barça's unhappiness with Kovács led the Catalans to send a formal complaint to UEFA, European soccer's governing body.

in a statement announcing the complaint last Thursday, Barça seethed at “unfathomable” refereeing decisions that, the club said, prevented Hansi Flick's men from competing “on a level playing field”.

Read the full story.

Barça rage at Romanian ref

Barcelona, it is fair to say, were a little cheesed off with the performance of the first-leg referee, the Romanian István Kovács.

Barça were particularly angered by Kovács' decision - and VAR's ratification of that decision - to let Atleti defender Marc Pubill get away with picking up a pass from goalkeeper Juan Musso inside his own box.

Pubill believed play had not actually restarted yet - and the officials sided with him. Had Pubill been penalized for handball, not only would Barça have been given a spot-kick, but the 22-year-old would have received a second yellow card.

How Atleti put one foot in the UCL semis

Six days ago, Atlético Madrid won at Camp Nou for the first time in Diego Simeone’s nearly 15-year tenure.  

First, Julián Álvarez curled in a fabulous free-kick opener, seconds after Barca’s Pau Cubarsí had been sent off for the foul that set up the dead-ball chance.

In the second half, substitute Alexander Sorloth then added a second for Atleti, rounding off a neat attacking move with a veritable striker’s finish.

This was my colleague Joe Brennan's take on the opener in Catalonia.

Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona: welcome!

Hello there! A ticket to the Champions League semifinals is on the line at the Estadio Metropolitano today - and, for now, all we can say for certain is that it will be handed out to a LaLiga team.

In the second leg of the quarterfinals, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona square off in the Spanish capital, with the hosts very much in pole position as things stand: Los Rojiblancos lead 2-0 from last week's first leg at Camp Nou.

Can Atleti maintain their dominance of the Blaugrana in Champions League knockout ties? We’ll find out from 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Team news will, of course, follow as soon as it drops.