Champions League 2025-2026: Barcelona-Atletico Madrid, the likely lineups

At 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Camp Nou will light up for the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, where the highly anticipated Spanish derby between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will be staged. A challenge that comes very few days after the confrontation in La Liga, where the Blaugrana managed to impose themselves with a score of 2-1 on the road.

Up for grabs is entry among the top four in Europe, and history has already shown that “Cholo” Simeone is a master in challenges with the double confrontation. However, Hansi Flick is banking on the speed of his youngsters and the strength of Lewandowski to secure qualification already in front of his own fans. The German coach knows very well that the return to the Metropolitano will be bedlam, just as happened in the Copa del Rey: in fact, on that occasion, Simeone got the better of them by overwhelming the Catalans with a very heavy 4-0 at home, then managing, albeit with a few too many risks, the passage of the round at home to Barcelona.

Flick confirms the form that beat the Colchoneros on Saturday in the league. In front of Joan Garcia, space for the Cubarsí-Eric Garcia pair with Cancelo and Martin on the flanks. In the midfield, Pedri and Dani Olmo guarantee quality, while the trio Yamal-Fermín-Rashford will act behind the main offensive reference, Robert Lewandowski.

Simeone relies on a solid 4-4-2 with Musso between the posts since Oblak is not at his best. The defense is led by Le Normand and Hancko, with Italian Ruggeri on the left. Koke and Llorente will shield the middle of the field, supported on the outside lanes by the drive of Giuliano Simeone and Lookman. In attack, all the weight is on the Julián Álvarez-Griezmann pair.

The likely lineups

BARCELONA (4-2-3-1): J. Garcia; E. Garcia, Cubarsí, Martin, Cancelo; Dani Olmo, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Rashford; Lewandowski. All. Flick.

ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann. All. Simeone.