When Friday’s draw for the 2015/16 UEFA Champions quarter-final stage was held, the post-result talk and social media debate was dominated by the match-up that will see Barcelona lock horns with Atletico Madrid.
Definitely one of the two toughest clashes in the last 8, the other being PSG vs Man City, the Blaugrana have been handed a tricky test in their hopes of defending their title.
Javier Bordas, Barcelona board member: "I don’t think there was a tougher opponent. They defend better than anyone." #UCLdraw
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 18, 2016
The last time the Catalan giants met Los Rojiblancos, it was Diego Simeone’s crew who came out victorious, beating then manager Tata Martino and his Barca crew 2-1 in the very same stage of the competition back in 2013/14.
In addition to that, Messi and Co. have won only 1 of their last 6 games against Spanish oppositions in the Champions League (D3, L2).
1 - Barcelona have won just one of their last 6 Champions League games against Spanish teams (D3 L2). Battle.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 18, 2016
Furthermore, the 1st leg tie will be played on April 5 at Camp Nou, meaning Barca will host Atletico Madrid only 3 days after playing Real Madrid in El Clasico in La Liga on April 2.
However, not all hope is lost for the Catalan giants. Their brightest beacon of hope and their strongest weapon lies in the form of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, whose lethal goalscoring form against Simeone’s crew may prove decisive.
The Argentine, in 27 outings against Madrid’s 2nd biggest club, has found the back of the net a whopping 25 times, scoring 3 hat-tricks.
Leo has scored 25 goals in 27 appearances vs their UCL last 8 opponents
In addition to that, despite beating Barcelona in their last Champions League meeting, Rojiblancos have not fared well against the Blaugrana, losing their last 6 meeting with the Camp Nou side.
