Friday’s Champions League draw was always going to be interesting with such big clubs still left in the competition. The most interesting quarter-final draw could be the one that has pitted European champions Barcelona against La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona are widely regarded as the favourites for the trophy, but this draw could be the toughest one that Luis Enrique’s men could have been given.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico are the team closest to the Catalan giants in the Spanish top-flight, albeit eight points behind and their style of football could provide an answer to Barcelona’s dynamic strike-force of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
Atleti gave Barcelona a fight earlier this season, as Rojiblancos were reduced to nine men at the Nou Camp, but still only lost 2-1 because of Simeone’s clever tactical approach.
It is Simeone’s shrewd management that has helped the previous under-performing club from the Spanish capital challenge their more illustrious rivals Real and tradition powerhouse Barcelona in La Liga.
Atletico are rock solid in defence, having conceded a league low of just 12 goals in the Spanish top-flight. Their problem in the Spanish top-flight has been scoring goals though, as they scored close to half the amount of goals that Real and Barcelona has this season.
At the moment Barcelona looks like an unstoppable force going forward, but if there is any team in Europe that can stop the Catalan giants is Atletico, whose team are highly-disciplined and main strength is defending.