FC Barcelona vs Club Atlético de Madrid tonight 7.45 p.m SS1

Turtwig · 01-04-2014 7:22pm #1

As far as I'm concerned the only uncertainty in the other tie is whether Moyes will be sacked after the second leg. So I'm watching this. The last 3 ties between these sides ended in tense compelling draws. Chess games is probably the best way to describe them. Barca cautious of Atleti on the counter. Atleti' cautious of Barca's balls in behind the fullbacks.

Barcelona: Pinto; Alves, Mascherano, Piqué, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Fábregas; Iniesta, Neymar, Messi.

Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Godín, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Tiago; Koke, Arda Turan; Villa, Diego Costa.

Doubts about Diego Costa were probably just an April Fool. Least, as an neutral I hope that is the case. He's as important to Atleti as Messi is to Barca. The loss of Valdes is huge. Cannot be understated. It's far easier to press Barcelona with Pinto in goals. He's just not the same passer as Valdes is. Neymar is probably the only controversial decision among Barca fans. Both Sanchez and Pedro provide way better defensive cover and effort in pressing than Neymar does. Gabi is probably the most underrated midfielder this season. He's been immense for Atleti this season. He'd walk into any World Cup Squad except Spain apparently. So, hoping very much that he has really good game.

miralize · 01-04-2014 8:38pm

IDiego Costa & Pique out already

Not necessarily on about CL, but it'll be a huge blow to Atletico's season if he is out..

Pique being out is also a huge loss.

Turtwig · 01-04-2014 8:39pm

Bartra playing brilliantly though. Himself and pique will make some partnership. Villa should have scored though.

Andersonisgod · 01-04-2014 8:40pm

Costa injury is a blow to Atletico, though so is Pique picking up an injury. Bartra has been excellent since he's come on. Extremely tight game, both sides pressing well and the contrast in styles when both teams have the ball is making for an entirely enjoyable scoreless draw. As the half wore on, Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas began to weave their magic.

miralize · 01-04-2014 8:40pm

Jernal wrote: »

Bartra playing brilliantly though. Himself and pique will make some partnership. Villa should have scored though.

Oh I agree! But Pique has been a revitalised player this season. Focused for most of it!

SantryRed · 01-04-2014 8:41pm

Bartra has been immense. Atletico missing Costa but I think he was playing injured anyways so not much a loss tonight.

Andersonisgod · 01-04-2014 9:02pm

I miss Valdes.

SantryRed · 01-04-2014 9:04pm

What a strike by Diego. Cracker of a game.

SantryRed · 01-04-2014 9:08pm

This game is so good due to the German referee not giving half as much of the soft fouls as the Spanish refs would. Really, really enjoying it.

miralize · 01-04-2014 9:09pm

Cracker of a shot. Martino needs to be in manager mode right noew & bring on Alexis/Pedro.

Andersonisgod · 01-04-2014 9:19pm

Ohhhhhh in the big games there is no finer than Andres Iniesta, it's a peach of a pass, footballing poetry, the pass, the run and finish of Neymar, it's poetry and Iniesta is Yeats.

Fudge You · 01-04-2014 9:19pm

Iniesta is a genius.

miralize · 01-04-2014 9:21pm

That referee has some bone to pick wit Iniesta tonight.

SantryRed · 01-04-2014 9:41pm

Great result for Atletico. Absolute cracker of a game and it's set up perfectly for the Calderon next Wednesday.

Ulysses Gaze · 01-04-2014 9:45pm

Gutsy performance by Atleti. Would love them to pull this off.

What a cracker of a game ahead at the Calderon.

ebbsy · 01-04-2014 9:49pm

Great game. Second leg will be amazing.

Miles better than the festering dirge of a game on TV3.

Lumbo · 01-04-2014 9:52pm

Very predictable game

Two brilliant sides and the game didn't stop for a second. Next week will be another cracker.

Turtwig · 01-04-2014 9:59pm

Another 1-1 draw next week and we'll have a penalty shootout.:cool: Fantastic performance by Atleti Costa such such a huge loss. Valdes may have saved that goal. Courtois made some fantastic saves. Overall, I think Barca probably deserved to win. In that second half Aleti were clinging on.
Cracking tie, really looking forward to next week.