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Lewandowski came disconnected nan chair connected Saturday to people nan victor but starts tonight. Raphinha is retired pinch a hamstring wounded and will miss nan 2nd leg, too. Marcos Llorente is 1 of nan additions to Simeone’s Atlético squad, afloat run-down connected action to travel …
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Gerard, Joao Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski. Substitutes: Szczesny, Kochen, Balde, Araujo, Gavi, Torres, Lopez, Casado, Bardghji, Cortes, Espart, Marques.
Atlético Madrid (4-4-2): Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez. Substitutes: Esquivel, de Luis, Mendoza, Sorloth, Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Pubill, Vargas, Gonzalez, Diaz.
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
And really bully is nan weather, by nan way? Answer: very. With different seemingly interminable convention shape (and winter) retired nan measurement we tin now bask immoderate decent knockout ties. Sunshine + meaningful Champions League encounters (beyond nan caller information of 16): it’s a heady mix.
Team news will beryllium coming up soon, meanwhile, why not nonstop maine an email?
Preamble
How bully are Barcelona, really? How bully is Robert Lewandowski erstwhile push comes to shove? And really bully are Atlético astir 15 years into nan reign of nan sharp-suited Diego Simeone?
There are immoderate caller clues. The seasoned Poland striker Lewandowski had nan past connection successful La Liga connected Saturday, his 87th-minute victor added to Marcus Rashford’s opener giving Barça a 2-1 comeback triumph distant from home.
Hansi Flick’s broadside are closing successful connected nan convention title, starring second-placed Real Madrid by 7 points, pinch a 19-point chasm separating Barcelona and tonight’s opponents.
And yet. In February Diego Simeone’s broadside thrashed Barcelona 4-0 successful nan first limb of their Copa del Rey semi-final. “This will stay successful nan representation nevertheless nan necktie ends,” Simeone said that night. They progressed, contempt losing 3-0 nan pursuing week.
History is besides connected Atlético’s side: these 2 faced each different successful nan quarter-finals of nan Champions League successful 2013/14 and 2015/16, and Simeone’s broadside prevailed connected some occasions, their only erstwhile meetings successful nan competition.
More precocious nan past 9 encounters person produced 35 goals betwixt them, and location will beryllium an embarrassment of attacking riches connected show this evening. “We are fresh to compete and we judge we tin wounded them,” said Simeone. This could beryllium rather bully …
Kick-off: 8pm UK time.
