In four games this season Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have
failed to find a way to better eachother but something has to give tonight in
their battle for a place in the last four of the Champions League in what has
the potential to be a tremendous battle between the two sides at the Vicente
Calderon.
The Calderon has been a fearsome place for visiting teams
with no wins from any opponent there apart from Real Madrid but tonight the
home fans promise to raise the roof with a first European Cup semi final in 40
years within touching distance today. And as it stands right now, Madrid are
winning the tie thanks to Diego’s truly stunning away goal at the Camp Nou in a
1-1 draw which for the fourth time, showed the extraordinary progress made in
such a short time by tonight’s host. So often under the shadow of their more
illustrious and neighbours, with two Europa League triumphs and a Copa del Rey
final win in style against Real at the Bernabeu last year, Atletico have
announced themselves as one of Europe’s top clubs and after fading at the
endpoint of last season seem set to take the ‘big two’ all the way in the
Spanish title race, one they currently lead by a point with 6 games to go.
In Europe, they have been almost as impressive. A group with
Porto and Zenit was made into a procession, with 5 wins from 6 games – in
making for a record of 16 wins from their last 17 in European competition at
the Calderon - including clear cut wins in all three games infront of the
Calderon, and while they rode their luck in the San Siro in their last 16 first
leg, a phenomenal show of power saw them dismiss AC Milan 4-1 to advance to
this stage.
Alteico, who had a wobble in the league with two hefty away
defeats over a month ago, have let in just three in their last eight in all
competitions and let in just 5 in their Champions League season, will be
without Adrda Turan, widely acknowledged as their best counterattacking player,
and striking sensation Diego Costa, involved in 32 of Atleico’s 91 goals this
season, but know come into their fifth meeting with Barcelona extremely well
acquainted with tonight’s rivals.
Barcelona have won 5 of their last 6 without their 1-1 with Atleico
and can count upon the confidence of their recent smash and grab in El Clasico
as a reminder of the class which has seen them dominate Eruope in recent times.
However they too have injury concerns with Pique absent and Puyol a doubt,
although they can count upon a full forward line with which to test Atletico.
However they stood form, barring one moment of magic from Andres Iniesta last
week, and it’s highly likely that this will go to the wire. A goalless draw is
enough for Simeone’s men and not an impossibility, with under 2.5 goals and the
draw looking like interesting shouts based on the season’s 4 games so far. With
40/1 on Atleico, we will sit and wait this out hoping for better luck than with
Dortmund and PSG last night.
Advice
No bet (Consider draw, under 2.5 goals, 1-1)
Already Advised (September 2013)
2 pts each/way Juventus (20/1 Hills, 18/1 general)
1 pt each/way PSG (16/1 general)
1 pt each/way Borussia Dortmund (20/1 general)
1 pt each/way Atleico Madrid (40/1 Coral)
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