04/14/26 02:46:00
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04/14 02:41 CDT Barcelona needs comeback against Atletico Madrid to return to
Champions League semifinals
Barcelona needs comeback against Atletico Madrid to return to Champions League
semifinals
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) --- Barcelona and Atletico Madrid meet for the fifth time in less
than two months on Tuesday, with the Catalan club needing to overcome a
two-goal disadvantage to return to the Champions League semifinals.
Atletico is at home to defend its 2-0 win from the first leg and try to make it
to the last four of the European competition for the first time in nearly a
decade.
Before last week's first leg, Barcelona beat Atletico 2-1 in Madrid in a
Spanish league game on April 4. The teams had already met twice in the Copa del
Rey semifinals, when Atletico won 4-0 at home and then advanced to the final
despite a 3-0 loss in Barcelona in the second leg.
Atletico last made it to the semifinals in 2017. Barcelona lost to Inter Milan
in last year's last four.
Coach Diego Simeone has not ruled out Jan Oblak's return even though the
goalkeeper hasn't played since March 10 because of a muscle injury. He has been
practicing with the squad for the last few days and is expected to be fit to
play.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has not ruled out midfielder Frenkie de Jong making
his first start after a long absence because of a hamstring injury.
Whichever team advances on Tuesday will face Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the
semifinals. Arsenal won the first leg 1-0 in Lisbon last week. Their second leg
in England is on Wednesday.
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