Barcelona vs Atleti Champions League preview: Where to watch, predicted line-ups, form, coaches' thoughts

Barcelona are preparing to welcome Spanish Liga rivals Atlético de Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday 8 April.

Where to watch the game on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

What you need to know

While Barcelona have tasted more success domestically and in Europe than their opponents, Atleti most certainly have the edge in the head to heads between these Spanish giants in the Champions League – all their previous UEFA competition meetings have come in the quarter-finals, with Atleti winning both ties (in 2013/14 and 2015/16).

Should Atleti go on to complete the last-eight hat-trick against Barcelona, they will doubtless have to keep their hosts at bay here. Hansi Flick's men have scored a remarkable 19 goals in their last four home games in this competition and the 7-2 success against Newcastle in their round of 16 second leg underlined their attacking riches.

Given that there have been 55 goals scored across Atleti's 12 Champions League fixtures this season, including 12 in a barnstorming round of 16 tie against Tottenham, it is hard to envisage either side taking a defensive-minded approach to this pivotal opener. Atleti's 4-3 aggregate win against Barcelona in their recent Copa del Rey semi-final backs up the point.

Add to that the glittering array of forward talent on display and this could be a classic tie. Lamine Yamal, who has struck in Barcelona's last three Champions League games, will spearhead the home side's attack while Julián Alvarez heads the Atleti threat, having scored 14 goals in his last 17 matches in the competition.

Possible line-ups

Barcelona: Joan García; Eric García, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, João Cancelo; Olmo, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín López, Rashford; Lewandowski

Atleti: Musso; Llorente, Giménez, Hancko, Ruggeri; Koke, Álex Baena; Simeone, Griezmann, Lookman; Alvarez

Form guide

Barcelona

Form: WWWWDW (most recent game first)
Latest: Atleti 1-2 Barcelona, 04/04, Spanish Liga

Atleti

Form: LLLWWW
Latest: Atleti 1-2 Barcelona, 04/04, Spanish Liga

Views from the camps

Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach: "Atleti are a tough team. They have a great attitude, intensity and fantastic players, so it's always complicated. There will be a lot of emotion in both matches and we'll try to get a good result. We have our style and we have to stick to it. We have to press and find the spaces. The important thing is that we're focused from the start."

João Cancelo, Barcelona defender: "We expect the same from Atlético as we have in recent years. They are an aggressive team with talented players. We have to control them, as we did in the last match, and go for the win. We know we have to go to their stadium afterwards, which is a very difficult ground. The ideal scenario would be to get a result and put us in a good position in the tie, but we have to be prepared for anything."

Diego Simeone, Atleti coach: "An important rival in an important moment in the competition. The Champions League is always complex. We know Barcelona's capabilities and how strong they are at home but we are ready to compete and we believe we can hurt them."

Antoine Griezmann, Atleti forward: "[I feel] excitement and a lot of desire to win. I feel like my son when he wakes up at six and the game is at 11. I want to enjoy it. They are going to be two very exciting games. We will have to be a solid and strong team."

Reporter's view

Graham Hunter, match reporter
Prepare for part two of an 11-day, three-game endurance series between two elite clubs whose last nine meetings have produced 35 goals and whose last five knockout ties have been decided by a single strike – including Atleti's victory in this season's Copa del Rey semi-finals. Barcelona's 2-1 away victory in La Liga on Saturday was dramatic fun, but this quarter-final first leg will bring changes. Marcos Llorente, suspended at the weekend, looks a certain starter, and ditto the ultra-dynamic Ademola Lookman and Julián Alvarez. How well will Barça cope without the injured Raphinha and Marc Bernal, meanwhile? We shall see.