Champions League: Why Atletico will beat Barca at Camp Nou Read more:l

Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final – Barcelona have won the past six meetings including one win earlier this season Ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Atletico Madrid, Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The defeat leaves Real nine points off leaders Barcelona, and four below Atletico Atletico Madrid players celebrate after defeating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu The two teams face off in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday night with Barcelona yet to lose in the last six meeting between the two sides. Barcelona have won the past six meetings, with Atletico’s last victory in the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2014. But all that could change for this five reasons; 1. Diego Godin is back: Godin was expected to miss the game against Barcelona due to a hamstring injury but he has shrugged that off and is set to start alongside youngster Jose Giminez in the center of Atletico’s defence. Godin, alongside Thiago Silva is probably the best centre-back in football and his determination and close marking skills are rarely matches in football. Recall he scored the goal at Camp Nou to hand the capital side the La Liga title in 2014. Don’t bet against him scoring again. 2. Real Madrid showed Barcelona are breakable: For a while BArca looked liked the all dominant force everyone should fear as they were yet top lose in the 39 games until Real Madrid came along. The tactics Zinadane Zidane used were simple, allow Barca the ball but never allow them get close to 25 yards, Casemiro will be the man to break up play and intercept passes (he did that 12 times) and use two quick wingers (Ronaldo and Bale) to counter while Karim Benzema was told to engage Pique and Masherano and never dropping back to midfield. It worked and Zidane looked a genius. Diego Simeone has the players at his disposal to do the same thing. Koke will be his chief creator, Griezmann and Carassco will engage the full backs, Fernando Torres will use his speed to disturb Pique and Masherano while Gabi/Tiago or Kraveintter will be used to break up play while the other will play as a third midfielder. The tactical battle is on… PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest sports news on Naij Sports App 3. Atletico look fitter: Against Villareal, the signs were there when Barca drew 2 – 2 that Messi, Neymar and Suarez were getting burnouts. With the trio hardly ever rotated, it came as no surprise and the match against Madrid only confirmed Barcelona fans worst fear; their three attackers have played too many games. Atletico looked at their best as they defeated Real Betis 5 – 1 over the weekend. 4. Los Rojablancos have been here before: Recall that in 2014, Atletico knocked BArcelona out of the champions League when they met at this stage thanks to a 1 – 1 away goals. That experience willserve them well with many of the team that did the job that day still with the club. Koke, Tiago, Gabi, Juanfran, Felipe Luis and Diego Godin are still here and they all started those two games. 5. Atletico have the chance to win it in the first leg: With the first leg set to be played at the Camp Nou, Atletico Madrid know they have the chance to win the game in the first leg by securing a draw. Back in 2014, they scored at Camp Nou and drew goalless at Vincente Calderon to earn an away goal rule win over Barcelona. Do it again and Atletico and reach their second Champions League semi-final in three years.