Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of Atletico Madrid's clash with Barcelona in the Champions League. Team news is just with us here, so let's get straight to that...

ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe; Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Raul Garcia; Adrian, Villa

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

So the big news for the home side is there is no Diego Costa this evening and that is a huge blow for Atletico. The striker has scored 33 goals this season. David Villa has 15, and they struggled without their talisman in Saturday's 1-0 win against Villarreal. Costa picked up the knock in the first leg last week. Just how crucial could his absence be this evening?

Barca are not without their own struggles. Gerard Pique is missing, and they have something of a patched up centre-back pairing of Javier Mascherano and Marc Bartra. Barca have high hopes for Bartra and Mascherano has long since been converted into a central defender though.

Barca subs: Oier, Montoya, Song, Adriano, Alexis, Pedro, Sergi Roberto

Atletico subs: Aranzubia, Alderweireld, Insua, Mario Suarez, Cristian Rodriguez, Sosa, Ribas

Interestingly, UEFA have rejected Barcelona's request to have the Vicente Calderon's pitch watered ahead of the kick off.

Barca, who also complained about the length of the pitch, had hoped to have the pitch watered at the break in order to speed up the tempo of the match. According AS, UEFA refused to allow the request.

Last week's first leg, of course, ended in a 1-1 draw, when Neymar cancelled out Diego's stunning opener, and the same scoreline tonight would see the game go to extra time.

A 0-0 draw would take Diego Simeone's side through, and while they are certainly skilled in the art of defending, it is a tough ask to keep Barcelona quiet for 90 minutes though, so it is a tricky game for Simeone to approach. Despite being top of La Liga, Atleti's success is earned differently to Barcelona. They are not the free-flowing passing machine that tonight's opponents are, and they rely heavily on Costa, who is of course absent this evening. Arda Turan also misses out, and he will be a miss too.

Atleti were poor on Saturday against Villarreal, and created little without their talisman Diego Costa, but they did win 1-0 and maintained their charge towards an unlikely La Liga win.

Barca represent an entirely different proposition to Villarreal of course, but Los Rojiblancos held their illustrious opponents to a draw earlier in the season. There have been four meetings between the sides this season - all four have been drawn. One way or another this evening, there will be a victor.

Anytime you get to watch either of these sides in action is a good day at the office, but Barcelona in particular are always a joy to behold. The stars are out in force this evening, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, and course Lionel Messi.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has 20 goals in 20 games against Atleti, including two hat-tricks. Ever the scourge of Los Rojiblancos, the hosts will have to be on their mettle for the full 90 minutes and possibly beyond to have any chance of stopping Barca's number 10.

It will be interesting to see how Neymar fares tonight. Undoubtedly one of the finest attacking players in world football, but the Golden Boy of Brazilian football has largely failed to catch fire during his time at Barca, something which he has readily admitted himself.

"For me to get to where I am now has been very difficult," Neymar told Mundo Deportivo.

However, he seems to be enjoying his time in Spain. He added: "It brings me a lot of happiness. To be at Barcelona today is the fulfillment of a dream."

"Going into the dressing room is like playing a video-game, because I am with Xavi, [Jose] Pinto, Messi, [Victor] Valdes and others. But they are all like my family."

Neymar of course, levelled things up in last week's tie when he slotted home from Iniesta's wonderful through ball. A big performance in a game of this magnitude could be the making of the Brazil international at Barcelona.

Chelsea and Real Madrid have of course already qualified following the conclusion of their respective ties last night, and we could end up with an all Anglo-Spanish affair in the last four, with Manchester United taking on Bayern Munich in this evening's other quarter-final.

We'll keep you updated as and when we get it on that game in this commentary. Back to this game, and Atleti may just fancy themselves tonight. Their European record in front of their own fans is exceptional - they have won 16 of their previous 17 home encounters.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino is looking for his side to strike first this evening. The Barca boss accepts that these two teams know more about each other than perhaps all the other teams involved in their own quarter-final ties, and wants to see his charges set the tempo.

"These games don't usually follow predictions. But I want us to outplay our opponent and win," Martino told Mundo Deportivo.

"I think there is a deep understanding between the teams. They are two teams at a high level, with strong and different styles and it's not a given that Barca can go ahead on the scoreboard.

"We'll see if we can score first and make it a different game. If we score first then I'm sure the game will be different to the previous ones."

Meanwhile Xavi wants to his teammates moves the ball and try and drag a rigid Altetico out of position to create chances.

"Atletico cut down the space," he told reporters. "It's not easy to create chances, and we have to be fluent in the game and move the ball quickly.

"It's a really tough match. We'd have liked to have gone there with a better result, but it all depends on us. We have to win and that benefits us because we're a team built to attack, but we are facing an opponent who is just the opposite."

The two teams are just going through their pre-match rituals, so let's get a prediction...

PREDICTION: There won't be much in it, but I think Barca might nick it in extra time, 2-1.

KICK OFF! So we're underway at the Vicente Calderon.

Barcelona in their unfamiliar black strip have had all the ball in the first couple of miniutes. Tonight's ref is Howard Webb and Barca have a free kick which Xavi swings in, but Atleti clear their lines.

Messi with an early dribble and shot, but the Argentina international's shot is always rising. Atletico won't want to see that too often though.

Atletico win the ball high up the pitch and manage to force Jordi Albs into a mistake and win the throw. Raul Garcia sends a good strike at goal with his left that goes just over. Pinto had it covered, but he shows why he has 16 goals this term. Lively start here.

Raul Garcia wins a header for Adrian who crashes a shot against the bar. Koke keeps it alive, David Villa clips it to the back post and Adrian wins the header for Koke to slot home. Massive moment in this tie.

Atletico pressing again and the ball eventually falls to Villa and the Spaniard turns and shoots but Dani Alves gets the block in and concedes a corner. Treademark high octane start for the home side. How will Barcelona cope?

CHANCE! Pinto nearly makes an absolute hash of it with the ball at his feet. He tries to dribble past Villa, and nearly loses it. Dangerous play from the stopper. Atletico Madrid are having it all their own way here. What a start this is...

As great as this is, you get the feeling a second goal may be needed while they're on top. Barca will get the ball sooner or later.

David Villa tries a cross towards the back post, but Pinto gathers it. Barca get it for a few seconds before Juanfran intercepts and the home side come again. Koke sends a ball in and Iniesta eventually clears. Breathless stuff...

CHANCE! Wow! Koke wrestles possession and runs it through to David Villa who is in on goal. He looks like he's ready to make it 2-0 and hit the post. Incredible stuff so far from Atletico. The tie could, and perhaps should be beyond Barca.

CHANCE! Barcelona are nearly back in it in the blink of eye. Dani Alves flights a cross into Messi and he heads wide from six yards out. A warning sign for Atletico for sure.

Neymar gets his first touch of the ball after 14 mins. But he is tackled out wide on the left. Barca have regained their composure somewhat here and Atletico's goal doesn't really change the complexion of the tie for them, they needed a goal and still do.

Things have started to calm a little, but that is typical of an Atletico Madrid game. They always start with high intensity and ease off if they score an early goal.

BOOKING Sergio Busquets goes in the book for fouling Adrian. Great play from the striker who regained possession and carried it 25 yards or so.

CHANCE! The frame of the goal has been Barcelona's best defender tonight. Villa rattles it for a third time after escaping Bartra. Poor defending from Mascherano who got caught out with a simple lofted pass. Villa really caught that well.

Raul Garcia is on the ground holding his face after Neymar touched him on the head. Nothing doing from Howard Webb.

CHANCE! Another chance for Messi. Wonderful play from Neymar, he slips by a couple of challenges, one with a click nutmeg on Tiago, but Messi can't quite get ahead of his marker enough to turn it back towards goal.

Felipe and Villa link up well out wide on the left, but the latter's cross trickles through to Pinto. Neymar then has possession but goes down a tad dramatically looking for a foul. Barca starting to find their passing boots now.

Iniesta dribbles and shoot from inside left, but the long-range effort was tame and Courtois gathers comfortably. Barcelona need to get Messi on the ball a bit more. It sounds simple, but so far, the little genius has had little to feed off.

Iniesta mis-controls the pass from Busquets in the middle of the park and it rolls out for a throw in. A collector's item there. Barca come again though and the Spain international finds Neymar despite being fouled. Alves gets it wide right but comes back in field. The visitors are trying to pry open the Atletico defence by switching it constantly. Nothing is working so far though.

Raul Garcia is perhaps on his final warning from Howard Webb now after committing a foul. Not a lot happening at the moment.

The tempo has certainly dropped off but that was to be expected. Barca have had more of the ball but they can't unhinge this Atletico defence. It's superb stuff from the home side defensively, and a real chess game at the minute

Frustration perhaps setting in as Dani Alves blasts one well wide from a long-range effort.

Barcelona won't be too concerned at the moment. Yes, they are not creating much, but there is plenty of time and they have had more of the ball this last 20 minutes or so. Atletico happy to soak it up and counter-attack.

Penalty shout for Atletico as Adrian accelerates past Mascherano. Second showing indicates that the referee got it right. He simply over-ran it and went down. Good decision from England's official.

Iniesta, Alba and Neymar combine. Fabregas goes down inside the area on the right, but Webb has none of it again. It looked soft. Barcelona still on the attack.

The cross comes in eventually and Fabregas can't quite stretch enough to head home. The visiting crowd chanting 'Messi Messi' but we have yet to see him come to life. Courtois gathers a corner confidently and takes the pressure off.

As we approach half time, Atletico will be delighted with their work. They will think that they could have wrapped it up though, perhaps.

Barca have a corner on the stroke of half time...

Well, the first 15 minutes of so of that game was high tempo stuff, and Atletico really went for the jugular. Barcelona's position hasn't changed, they still need a goal, but haven't looked like getting it so far this evening.

Just to take break off from this game, and let you know that Manchester United and Bayern Munich are goalless at half time. If the tie stays like that then the German side will go through on away goals.

I said earlier on that Atletico will need to be on their game to keep Messi quiet for the full 90 minutes. They're halfway there. The Argentina superstar has been disappointing. Hopefully, for the neutral, he will be back to his usual self after the break.

Atletico hit the woodwork three times in that half, and if Barcelona get back into it, the home side will certainly rue that stat. They should have the game wrapped up in all honesty, their start was that good.

You'd think that sooner or later a chance is going to come Barcelona's way though. Their array of talent should see to that. If not Messi, Fabregas, Neymar et al. It might just be a case of the visitors putting away every chance they get. So far, they have only had Messi's early header.

KICK OFF And we're underway for the second half.

Barcelona quickly into their passing rhythm, but it's all in front of the home side, and nothing penetrating really. Atletico will be happy to see it like that.

CHANCE! Wonderful goalkeeping from Courtois. Xavi threads Neymar who runs onto it inside the box, he tries to take it past Courtois, but the Belgium international gets down and nicks it away Messi can't quite get the follow up. Big chance for Barca.

Messi clips in a delightful ball into Jordi Alba and the spins up and strikes the left-back on the arm as he tries to get it beyond Courtois. Great ball in behind by Messi, more of that will be required.

Again, it's excellent defending from Atletico, this time from Felipe. Neymar dances inside a number of challnges trying to get a shot off on the edge of the box, but he eventually runs into his compatriot and is blocked.

Barcelona have a corner, but it is disappointingly cleared by the first man. They think they have another one but the referee awards a goal kick, it came off Xavi. Correct decision.

Everyone except Pinto is in Altetico's half now. It might be a bit premature for that kind of backs-to-the-wall stuff from the home side. As I type they push out with Adrian and Villa. Barcelona are seeing all the possession at the moment though.

Villa wins it in his own half and has acres in front of him. He never looks like having the legs to take him all the way though, he tries to feed Tiago, but it's too far ahead and Barca get it back.

CHANCE! Xavi ghosts into the box and head it narrowly wide from close range. He should have at least hit the target there.

UPDATE: Patrice Evra gave Manchester United the lead but Mario Mandzukic has equalised. It is 1-1 in the night's other tie. There was just 22 seconds between both goals.

SUBSTITUTION Diego on for Adrian.

There will be extra time in the other tie if it stays like that for the rest of the 90 minutes. Back to this game and Barcelona don't look like getting the goal that will take them to extra time. Messi has dropped off in an attempt to get more of the ball.

CHANCE! Diego with a great ahcne to put the tie to bed, but he chooses the wrong option and shoot from a tight angle with Koke free inside the area. His teammate was better placed.

Diego Godin rises highest from the resulting corner to header at goal. Pinto holds it.

BARCA SUB: Alexis Sanchez has come on for Fabregas. The Chilean striker needs to inject some life into Barca's frontline.

Messi is halted by unfair means by Tiago, Barca have a free kick around 25 yards out, but it looks as though it'd favour a right-footer.

Messi hammers it straight into the Atletico Madrid wall. The break is nearly on, but Jordi Alba turns on the after-burners and gets back to calmly mop it up. Barca need something soon. It has been too easy for Atletico at the back.

UPDATE: Bayern Munich have taken the lead in Germany. Thomas Muller has put the European champions 2-1 up. Still, a Man Utd goal takes them through, so it's not over yet there.

CHANCE! Oh my word! what a waste by Gabi. He breaks and it's 2 vs. 1 at the back and instead of squaring it to Villa he tamely rolls it at Pinto's feet and the keepr saves. Huge chance to put the tie to bed.

PENALTY SHOUT Howard Webb has none of it as Villa goes down under a challenge from Mascherano. That is a penalty, no question. The Argentina defender has come into the Spaniard's back, not shoulder. Raul Garcia gets a chance in the resulting melee, but it is blocked.

BARCA SUB Iniesta off for Pedro. Another positive change from Martino.

Dani Alves again hammers a shot in at goal. It comes off Gabi and goes behind...

Neymar couldn't rise high enough at the back post, Juanfran chases it, gets his body in the way and Alexis fouls him. Good defending. Time is running out for Barca, but it is Diego Simeone's men who are creating the best chances here.

UPDATE: Bayern Munich have gone 3-1 up against Manchester United now. Arjen Robben has perhaps put that tie to bed.

Diego hammers it clear and it is just going to keep coming straight back for Atletico now. Can Barca create a gilt-edged chance in the last 15? We shall see. It is a huge holding-on job for the home side now.

CHANCE! Lovely glancing header from Neymar and it drops narrowly wide. He edged in front of Miranda really well there. Unlucky from the Brazilian.

ATLETICO SUB Cristian Rodriguez comes on for David Villa.

Rodriguez is halted as he makes off on a one-on-one inside the Barca half. That was harsh from the referee there. Alexis tries to help it on inside the box to Messi, but Courtois is alert and grabs the ball first. Big last 10 minutes from for both sides here.

Dani Alves has been disappointing tonight, he's wasted possession several times. His long cross should go out but Messi somehow retrieves it and Barca come again...

They lose it though and here come Atletico. Koke finds Gabi out wide but Alba's pace comes to the fore and Spain international intercepts. Straight up the other end for Barca and Messi is eventually squeezed out of it. End-to-end stuff here until Diego Godin goes down with a rare foray forward.

Koke wins it for his side high up the pitch and he feeds it to Raul Garcia, but he hasn't got the energy to make anything of it. Barcelona get it forward quickly once more. Martino and Simeone are furious on the sidelines.

Barcelona have a corner...

It's cleared but Barca come again until Jordi Alba loses it to Juanfran and Rodriguez almost pinches it off Mascherano inside Barcelona's half.

Pedro, who hasn't done much, swings in a really poor cross straight into Courtois's arms. Time is not on Barcelona's side here. They haven't deserved extra time if they somehow secure it. This has been a superb effort from the home side.

CHANCE! Pinto denies Rodriguez. Raul Garcia drops it into the Uruguayan, and he nods it down and hammers it at goal. Good save, corner to Atleti, it'll stay in the corner.

Koke goes in the book for time-wasting, but he won't mind too much. Atletico are seconds away from victory here. What a remarkable result this would be for Los Rojiblancos.

Mascherano is now booked as the ball stays in the far corner. Exactly where the home side want it.

Excellent from Miranda who makes two really solid interceptions a few seconds apart. Atletico look safe now as Dani Alves goes in the book for a poor tackle.

Well, that is as subdued as I have ever seen Barcelona's forwards. Herculean effort from Atletico Madrid. They fully deserve the win and the plaudits that they are going to get.

Los Rojiblancos march on. This might cause one or two more problems to their small squad with regards to their La Liga push, but they won't care about that right now. They should have also had a penalty in the second half, Messi and co. were unusually quiet.

So there we have it; Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich will contest the Champions League semi-finals. I hope you have enjoyed the commentary this evening. Bye for now.