Tonight Barcelona will try to retain a semifinal appearance in the UEFA Champions League. Diego Simeone's Atletico army stands in the way, like the castle of Troy protecting the Trojans. Atletico are having undoudtley their best season in recent memory and will be trying to follow there self-made path to complete the double; which would be a monumental step into being an elite club in Europe. The key for talking point and challenge for Barcelona will be if they will be able to break down Atletico as well as staying strong at the back, with a makeshift Barcelona defense. I am still undecided with a confident prediction as the sides have now played four times this season and each game ending stalemate. As a Barcelona supporter my heart and mind are extremely nervous for this game.
I think Atletico will make it once again nearly impossible to break them down. They will be happy to sit 11 men behind the ball and clearing their lines for the whole game. Diego Costa has been named in the squad for the game but I would say in unlikely to play the whole 90 and possibly unlikely to start the game. My prediction is a tight and nerve-racking 1-0 win for Barcelona. Although a 1-1 forced into extra time is not off the cards.
The Lineup chose by Tata Martino will be the key piece to their success. The dilemma is whether or not to play Cesc Fabergas in the center or the park and have Inestia out on the left, or to drop Cesc and play Alexis and have Inestia play his normal and best position in the middle. This will be crucial because if Cesc is selected and a true winger is left out of the lineup Barcelona will not have runners in behind and Cesc will make them far too predictable. Lineup I would select: Pinto, Alves, Barta, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Inestia, Messi, Neymar, Alexis This game is probably the most important game to date in Barcelona’s season. If they lose vs Atletico, Martino will be headed out the door after this season as Quarter Finals for a club like Barcelona is just not acceptable. I do support Tata 100% and still believe that he has what it takes to be the right man for the job at Barcelona. Although if we had an opportunity to snatch Spaniard Roberto Martinez from Everton, he would be the best option for Barcelona going forward. If Barcelona come out on top, there season will remain on track and they will really be a side to fear as they have come into great form in this last month or so.
Barcelona Vs Atletico Madrid April 9, 2014
Venue: Vicente Calderon, Madrid Spain
TV: Fox Sports 2,
Fox Deportes
Time; 2:45 Kickoff ET
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