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Champions League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 9, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
BL

1-0

Koke (6')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona

:Headline: Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona: ID:148784: from db_amp
Sports Mole looks ahead to the all-Spanish Champions League quarter-final between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

There has been very little to separate these two clubs in La Liga all season, but something will have to give at the Vicente Calderon tomorrow evening.

As it stands, it is advantage Atletico Madrid following the first leg in Barcelona last week, as the visitors left the Camp Nou with an away goal, scored by Brazilian playmaker Diego, in the 1-1 draw. That was the fourth time that these sides have met in all competitions this term, none of which has ended with a victor.

However, Diego Simeone's Atleti can take heart from the fact that they have won 16 of their previous 17 home UEFA encounters.

If they are to reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time since 1974, though, they are likely to have to do so without the services of leading goalscorer Diego Costa. The Spaniard limped off during the first leg with a hamstring complaint and is not expected to feature.

In a further blow to Simeone, playmaker Arda Turan is struggling with a groin problem, which could well rule the Turk out of contention for a place in the starting lineup.

Visiting Barca also injury problems to contend with, particularly in defence with Gerard Pique absent due to a hip complaint and Carles Puyol short of match fitness. Elsewhere, Pinto will continue to deputise in goal for the injured Victor Valdes, who has damaged his cruciate ligament.

Los Rojiblancos have hosted Barcelona 106 times before in all competitions, with a record of 50 victories to Barcelona's 33.

Recent form

Atletico: WWWWDW

Barcelona: WWWWDW

Possible starting lineups

Atletico: Courtois; Juanfran, Godín, Miranda, Luis; Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Suarez, Diego; Villa

Barcelona: Pinto; Alba, Bartra, Mascherano, Alves; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Fabregas, Neymar, Messi

Sports Mole says: 1-1 - Atletico through on penalties


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1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia1826101728-1112
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512
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