Despite optimism from Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and manager Hansi Flick about a potential comeback against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night at the Metropolitano, current season statistics suggest a more formidable challenge than initially perceived.
The two clubs have faced each other five times this season, with Barcelona securing three victories and Atletico Madrid claiming two. While Barcelona won both La Liga encounters, Atletico fielded a rotated squad in their second league match and emerged victorious in their Copa del Rey tie. Across these five games, both teams have scored an equal number of goals, eight each.
Barcelona’s Defensive Concerns Point to Atletico Scoring Threat
The statistics strongly favor Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s team aims to take control of the game, and captain Koke Resurreccion has urged his squad to play with confidence and exploit spaces behind Barcelona’s press. As highlighted by Diario AS, Barcelona has not kept a clean sheet in their last 14 European matches. Since Hansi Flick’s arrival, no team in the Champions League has conceded more goals than Barcelona’s 43. Furthermore, Barcelona has conceded in every Champions League game this season, implying they might need to score at least four goals to advance.
Barcelona’s Defensive Experimentation
Since Flick took charge, Jules Koundé has primarily been deployed as a right-back. However, reports from MD suggest that during the final training session before the match, the French defender was tested at center-back. In this scenario, Ronald Araujo would likely play at right-back, with Eric Garcia potentially moving to midfield. A shift for Koundé would be surprising, especially with Pau Cubarsi suspended and uncertainty surrounding who will partner Pedri in midfield, potentially requiring Garcia’s presence there.
Flick Not ‘Worried About Defending’
Hansi Flick was questioned about Barcelona’s defensive struggles, referencing their exit last year despite scoring six goals against Inter Milan. Flick expressed confidence in his team’s defense, stating that it would depend on their collective pressing and compactness as a unit.
