Barcelona welcomed Atletico Madrid to Camp Nou on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
A busy first period for Fernando Torres saw the Atletico striker send his team ahead in the 25th minute, before picking up a red card for a second bookable offence 10 minutes before the break.
After a sustained period of pressure, Barcelona finally levelled the scores in the 63rd minute when Luis Suarez turned home from close range, before the Uruguay international scored a second in the 74th minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid for the first leg of their quarter-final. Atletico knocked Barcelona out at the same stage of the 2013-14 competition and the home side saw their 39-game unbeaten run ended at the weekend by Real Madrid. Barcelona are the favourites to make the final four once again, but Atletico, as they always are, will be a very, very tough nut to crack. Let's hope for a cracking first leg tonight!
6.49pmAs touched upon, these two domestic rivals met at the same stage of the 2013-14 Champions League and it was Atletico that advanced courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate win. That year, the first leg also took place at Camp Nou, where it finished 1-1, before Atletico recorded a 1-0 win in the return. The Madrid side went on to make the final that season, but lost out to capital rivals Real Madrid in extra-time.
6.52pmIn fact, Atletico are the only team to prevent Barcelona from reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in the last eight seasons and are one of just three clubs to have eliminated the Catalan outfit in the quarter-finals of this competition. That said, Barcelona have won their last six games against Atletico in all competitions – including both La Liga fixtures (2-1) this season.
6.55pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Camp Nou. Who have Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone placed their faith in tonight? Let's find out...
6.58pmTEAMS:
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Lucas, Godin, Luis; Koke, Gabi, Saul; Carrasco, Torres, Griezmann
7.01pmBarcelona boss Luis Enrique has made just one change from the 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid at the weekend, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen replacing Claudio Bravo in the usual European alteration between the sticks. As a result, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, who have 107 goals between them this season, start in the final third. Messi has actually netted 25 goals in 28 games against Atletico in all competitions and the onus will fall on the 'MSN' to undergo a stern Atletico defence tonight.
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7.04pmAtletico, meanwhile, have been boosted by the return of influential captain Diego Godin, who is back in the team after missing the last three weeks with a thigh problem. The Uruguay international starts alongside inexperienced Frenchman Lucas Hernandez at the back, while Saul Niguez is picked in a deeper role ahead of Augusto Fernandez, who is on the bench. Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann will join Fernando Torres, who has 10 career goals against Barcelona, in the final third.
7.07pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff in Barcelona. I shall speak about Atletico a little bit later, but let's start with Barcelona, who will enter this match as a wounded animal. Indeed, the Catalan side saw their 39-game unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end at the weekend when they lost 2-1 at home to Real Madrid in the league.
7.10pmGerard Pique headed table-topping Barcelona into a second-half lead at Camp Nou, but goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo saw Real Madrid record a famous triumph. The Catalan outfit are still seven points clear of third-place Real Madrid and six clear of second-place Atletico in the La Liga table, but the defeat will have certainly had an effect on Luis Enrique's team.
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7.13pmThat said, Barcelona have won their last 10 Champions League games on home soil – including a 3-1 victory over Arsenal in the second leg of their last-16 clash. They have been triumphant in 30 of their last 37 European games in this stadium and have not lost since Bayern Munich recorded a 3-0 success in May 2013. Barcelona's quarter-final record in this competition reads – played 17, won 14, lost three.
7.16pmIn all competitions, Barcelona have hosted Atletico on 109 occasions and have recorded 63 wins and lost just 19 times. That said, surprisingly, Barcelona have actually only won four of their 10 two-legged European ties against fellow Spanish opposition and have only kept one clean sheet in 12 Champions League/European Cup games against teams from La Liga. Surprising numbers there!
7.19pmBarcelona have won this competition on four occasions in the last 10 seasons, however, and are attempting to become the first team since the great AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to win back-to-back European Cups. They are in the quarter-finals for the ninth consecutive campaign, which is some record in itself, and are seen as the favourites to claim this prestigious trophy once again. They know what it takes to compete and indeed win at this stage of this famous competition.
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7.22pmTaking Barcelona's Champions League record further – they have won 17 of their 21 fixtures in this competition since last season and have scored at least once in every single game. Alongside Real Madrid, they are one of just two teams still unbeaten in Europe this season and their defeat to Real Madrid at the weekend could be, in a way, turned into a positive. They have coasted through a lot of games over the last few months, but they must now re-gain their focus in the final weeks.
7.25pmAs for Atletico, they will enter this match off the back of a thumping 5-1 win over Real Betis at the weekend. Simeone's side are now just six points behind Barcelona in their domestic table and have only lost one of their last 11 games in all competitions. That said, Atletico have already lost twice to Barcelona this season – both in the league and both by the scoreline 2-1. Not long until kickoff tonight!
7.28pmBarcelona are by far the more experienced team at this stage of the competition, but Atletico have now reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the last three campaigns. In 2013-14, as mentioned, they beat Barcelona in the quarter-finals, but lost out to capital rivals Real Madrid at the same stage of the 2014-15 season. Should Atletico negotiate their way past Barcelona this season, it would be the fifth time in their history that they have made the semi-finals of the European Cup.
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7.32pmAtletico have faced Spanish opposition on 17 occasions in the European Cup and they have a fairly mixed record – recording seven wins and suffering six defeats. They are currently on a poor run of form against Barcelona, but there has only been one goal between the two teams in their last five matches and Simeone's side certainly have the credentials needed to upset the favourites here.
7.35pmBarcelona might have breezed past Arsenal in the last round to make the quarter-finals, but the same cannot be said for Atletico, who needed a penalty shootout to beat PSV Eindhoven following a 0-0 aggregate score. It was far from convincing from Simeone's side, but it would be fair to say that Barcelona would have wanted to avoid their domestic rivals when the quarter-final draw was made.
7.38pm
Messi, Suárez & Neymar have scored 42 of Barcelona's 51 #UCL goals since last season (82%).
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 5, 2016
Can Atleti stop MSN? pic.twitter.com/d8hB2RTCrU
7.42pmPREDICTION! This is a very tough game to call. Atletico overcame Barcelona when the pair last met in the Champions League, but Barcelona have won the last six games between the two teams. I think that Atletico will score tonight, but I am going to back the home side to record a 2-1 win.
7.44pmA reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Lucas, Godin, Luis; Koke, Gabi, Saul; Carrasco, Torres, Griezmann
0 minKICKOFF! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Champions League action is back as the holders Barcelona welcome Atletico for the first leg of their quarter-final clash - here's to a good game! It is the away side that kick things off in Spain...
2 min... both teams are playing in their away kit this evening due to UEFA rules, which is very strange indeed. Barcelona, in yellow, have taken control of the ball in the opening couple of minutes and that will be the pattern for tonight's match. Atletico will have no problem sitting deep at Camp Nou.
3 minMessi lifts the ball into Suarez as Barcelona threaten just outside the Atletico box, but the ball runs away from Suarez and Atletico resume with a goal kick. Wonderful atmosphere at Camp Nou tonight!
5 minBarcelona move the ball from right to left as they attempt to find space in the final third, but Atletico have so many bodies back and the home side cannot find a route through. Eventually Busquets looks for the head of Neymar, but Luis does enough to ease the Brazilian off the ball.
5 minMessi tries his luck from just outside the box, but his low strike was always wide of the post.
8 minPossession football from the home side as they continue to pass and probe in the Atletico half of the field, but as expected, the visitors are water-tight at the back. You just get the feeling that the first goal of this quarter-final tie - if there indeed is one - could end up being crucial to the outcome.
10 minAtletico continue to keep their shape, but the visitors are struggling to keep the ball at the moment and you sense that Barcelona will create chances as the match develops. That said, Fernando Torres has been a willing runner in the opening 10 minutes - providing an option in the final third.
11 minSuper challenge from Godin as the Atletico centre-back prevents Iniesta from moving into a dangerous position. Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the opening 11 minutes here.
13 minThere is a very strange atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. It is almost silent. The home supporters were extremely vocal in the early stages, but Atletico's style and ability to kill the match has seen the noise levels drop. It is all going to plan for Simeone's side with 13 minutes now played.
14 minAnother half-chance for Barcelona as Messi meets a Alba cross just inside the Atletico box, but the Argentine fires well wide of the post. On his left foot, Messi will be very disappointed with that!
17 minThe likes of Neymar and Suarez have been quite sloppy in the opening 17 minutes tonight, with Messi comfortably Barcelona's biggest threat in the final third thus far. There has not really been a standout chance for either team, but Barcelona are in control of the possession on home soil here.
19 minGodin comes striding forward from centre-back for Atletico, but the Uruguay international loses possession and Barcelona have the chance to break. Again it is sloppy work from the team in yellow though and Atletico eventually force a free kick in a wide position. Still goalless in this quarter-final.
19 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Alves picks out the head of Neymar inside the Atletico box, but the Brazilian heads over from close range! Some chance!
22 minNot an awful lot for the Atletico supporters to get excited about going forward, but their team has been nice and tight at the back in the opening 22 minutes. Barcelona continue to look for that elusive pass in the final third, but it is very tight in the Atletico box with blue shirts everywhere!
24 minFirst half-chance for Atletico as Griezmann strikes one from outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. Just a warning for Barcelona that Atletico are here tonight.
25 minGOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Atletico (Torres)
26 minAtletico make the breakthrough in the 25th minute at Camp Nou as Torres meets a super Koke pass before firing home from close range. Not sure about the defending, but some finish from Torres!
28 minIt has been a decent response from Barcelona and Messi again strikes one from just outside the Atletico box, but the visitors have bodies in the way and the danger is cleared. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the Catalan side and they are firmly on the front foot here.
29 minBOOKING! Torres (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
31 minAtletico just need to be careful here as they continue to dive into challenges and the last thing they need is to pick up a red card. On their last visit to Camp Nou, both Luis and Godin received their marching orders. More frustration for Barcelona as Alba loses a tussle with Lucas in the final third.
32 minSAVE! Super save from Ter Stegen as the Barcelona goalkeeper pushes a low Griezmann strike wide of the post. It was heading for the bottom corner after another quick counter-attack!
33 minBOOKING! Koke (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
35 minBarcelona just cannot find a route through this Atletico defence at the moment as Godin and Juanfran take it in turns to produce excellent pieces of defending. Messi remains Barcelona's most dangerous player in the final third, but we have seen very little from Suarez thus far tonight.
35 minRED CARD! TORRES!
36 minOh my word! Torres has just been sent off! The Spaniard picked up a yellow card in the 29th minute and he has just picked up another. It is all kicking off and Simeone is furious on the touchline!
37 minTorres dived into Busquets and it might well have been a yellow! Stupid challenge!
38 minIt is now kicking off between Iniesta and Godin! It is a real shame because this has been a brilliant football match, but it is being spoiled at the moment. Everyone just needs to settle down a touch!
41 minI would be surprised if we had seen the last of the cards in this match as both sets of players continue to clash. Atletico are even deeper at the moment as they attempt to keep their one-goal lead in tact in the final minutes of this first period. It is so delicately poised at Camp Nou now.
42 minOblak's first save is from a tame Mascherano strike.
44 minJust a reminder that the second leg of this quarter-final will take place at the Vicente Calderon next week. Atletico would be absolutely delighted to take a 1-0 lead into that match, but I would be surprised if Barcelona did not score at least once tonight. Not long left in this first period.
45 minSuarez is judged to be in an offside position as Atletico survive another period of pressure.
45 min+1The referee has indicated that we will play two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
45 min+2Neymar fires over the crossbar as Barcelona are forced to shoot from distance once more.
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Atletico
8.35pmSo there we have it. The referee brings a lively first period to an end with Atletico leading Barcelona 1-0 courtesy of a 25th-minute strike from Fernando Torres. The visitors are down to 10 men, however, after seeing their goal-scorer sent off 10 minutes before the break. Barcelona have been restricted to few opportunities on home soil, but surely chances will arrive in the second 45 here.
8.40pmSTATS! As expected, Barcelona have dominated the possession with 66%, but they have only registered one attempt on target and that was a tame strike from Mascherano. Atletico, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their four attempts. There have been three yellow cards in total - one for Koke and two for Fernando Torres, which saw the Spaniard sent off in the 35th minute.
8.45pmBENCH WATCH! Arda Turan will be keen to feature for Barcelona against his former club in the second period, while Rafinha, Munir El-Haddadi and Sergi Roberto are among those available for the home side tonight. Atletico, meanwhile, have midfield options in the shape of Kranevitter, Fernandez and Thomas. Vietto and Correa are the two striking options for Simeone in the second period.
8.48pmMATCH PIC!
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46 minRESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Atletico hold out to record a first-leg win? We shall see! The home side resume the action here...
👥 Today's crowd at Camp Nou for #FCBAtleti - 88,534 #FCBlive #FCBAtleti #UCL pic.twitter.com/aYWIDYdtjM
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 5, 2016
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.
48 minHalf-chance for Atletico as Saul sets up Luis with a super cross from the left, but the defender's header is blocked. Barcelona launch a break and Neymar slides a pass into Suarez, but the striker is offside once again. It has not taken long for this match to warm-up after the interval here.
48 minBOOKING! Busquets (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Saul.
49 minCLOSE! Carrasco just fails to find a teammate with a low cross into the Barcelona box and the home side are quickly on the counter. Neymar finds Messi with a fine pass, but the Argentine's excellent over-head kick is just wide of the post. End-to-end football at Camp Nou!
51 minCROSSBAR! Neymar bursts into life and hammers one towards the top corner, but his effort smashes off the crossbar as Barcelona continue to put the pressure on this Atletico defence!
52 minStunning last-ditch challenge from Luis on Messi as Barcelona up the tempo here!
54 minATLETICO SUB! Fernandez replaces Carrasco in Atletico's first change.
56 minSAVE! Another wonderful chance for Barcelona as Rakitic picks out the head of Neymar inside the Atletico box, but the Brazilian's effort is straight at Oblak. Atletico are on the ropes here!
57 minSAVE! Oblak gets down to keep out Messi as Barcelona flood forward here.
59 minAnywhere will do for Atletico at the moment as Barcelona continue to utterly dominate the ball in the final third. It is almost like an attack versus defence training exercise on the pitch here!
61 minSaul Niguez manages to break forward and give Atletico's defence some respite as the 60-minute mark passes at Camp Nou. Barcelona, surely, will find at least one goal in this first leg tonight.
61 minBOOKING! Luis (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Suarez.
62 minCLOSE! Neymar sends a left-footed strike just wide of Oblak's post!
63 minGOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Atletico (Suarez)
64 minBarcelona are finally level as Suarez turns a low Alba strike into the back of the net from close range. Not a pretty goal, but they all count and Barcelona have levelled this tie up at 1-1!
64 minBARCELONA SUB! Rafinha replaces Rakitic for the home side.
66 minAtletico just cannot find a way out of their own half at the moment as they attempt to control this Barcelona train, which shows no sign of stopping. Still at least 25 minutes left of this first leg here.
68 minYou just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match, but in truth, Atletico have hardly been in the Barcelona half since the restart. There seems to be a lot more space in the middle of the park at the moment, which is allowing the home side to transition between defence and attack.
70 minLuis has just gone down inside his own box following a challenge with Suarez...
70 min... BOOKING! It is yellow for Suarez (Barcelona) following that push on Luis.
71 minGriezmann volleys well over the crossbar as Atletico have a rare venture forward.
73 minNeymar dives into Koke and the Atletico players are not happy that the Brazilian has escaped a yellow card there. Atletico are doing their best to slow the game down at the moment here.
73 minBOOKING! Griezmann (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Alba.
74 minGOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Atletico (Suarez)
75 minIt has been coming! Barcelona take the lead on the night in the 74th minute as Suarez plays a super ball into Alves, who returns the favour and the striker thumps his header past Oblak!
77 minATLETICO SUB! Thomas replaces Griezmann for the away team.
78 minBOOKING! Lucas (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
79 minBOOKING! Oblak (Atletico) is booked for wasting time.
81 minBARCELONA SUB! Sergi Roberto replaces Busquets for the home team.
83 minBOOKING! Mascherano (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Saul.
83 minBARCELONA SUB! Turan replaces Iniesta for the home side.
85 minGabi hobbles off the pitch for Atletico after receiving some treatment on the park.
86 minMessi goes down inside the Atletico box under pressure from two defenders, but the referee is not interested and it was the correct decision. In fairness, Messi did not ask for one himself!
86 minBOOKING! Augusto (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Alves.
89 minGodin meets a deep free kick from Gabi and his presence wins a corner for Atletico late on...
90 min... Alves is up to clear with a super header!
90 min+1ATLETICO SUB! Angel Correa replaces Saul in Atletico's final change.
90 min+2Good work from Thomas as the Atletico midfielder wins a free kick for his team.
90 min+3Barcelona continue to put the pressure on Atletico's back four late on here.
90 min+4Atletico have little over one minute to hold out for a 2-1 defeat here.
90 min+5FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-1 Atletico
9.41pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 2-1 winners over 10-man Atletico in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. We will do it all again in Madrid next week! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
