FC Barcelona would be facing one of the toughest test of their season when they host LaLiga table-toppers Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou for the Round of 8 in the UEFA Champions League. Having reached the Semi-Finals of the last six editions of the competition, Barca would be looking to edge the season's best surprise package side.
Diego Simoene's side would be a tough nut to crack for the Catalonians as they are sitting on top of the LaLiga unlike previous seasons, when only Real Madrid or Barcelona were seen on the top spot. After hearing the qualities of the squads of FCB and RMA for several years, we have got one addition on the list of the best teams of Spain, which is Simoene's Atletico Madrid.
Though Atletico Madrid are new to the UEFA Champions League and haven't experienced too much at European level, we can not ignore their form in this season's UCL and LaLiga. They were one of those three teams who entered the Round of 16 in UCL unbeaten. While on the other hand spectators and fans have great faith in the Catalans as their season as been fantastic under Gerado Martino.
TEAM NEWS-
Barcelona (4-3-3): Pinto; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Fàbregas; Neymar, Messi, Iniesta
Atletico (4-3-2-1): Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe; Gabi, Tiago; Suarez, Gabi, Tiago; Arda, Koke; Costa
PREDICTIONS-
It's a tough call. Both teams are in top form. A home loss to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League against Madrid would be embarrassing. Keeping Simoene's side's form in mind, I would predict a 2-2 draw in the Leg-1.
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