Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona: Oblak Benched, Flick Starts Ferran Torres in Attack - Elbotola
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Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona: Oblak Benched, Flick Starts Ferran Torres in Attack

Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona: Oblak Benched, Flick Starts Ferran Torres in Attack

T.E (Elbotola)
14 April 2026at17:52

Coaches Diego Simeone and Hansi Flick have revealed their starting lineups for tonight's highly anticipated clash (20:00 GMT+1). Atletico Madrid will host Barcelona in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, with the capital club holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.

Despite recovering from injury and returning to the squad list, Atletico Madrid's primary goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, will start the match on the bench, indicating that he has not fully regained his physical readiness.

For Barcelona, Flick has decided to deploy Ferran Torres as the main striker, leaving Robert Lewandowski on the bench, while Gavi starts in midfield.

Atletico Madrid's lineup: Musso - Ruggeri, Lenglet, Molina, Le Normand - Koke, Llorente, Simeone - Griezmann, Lookman, Alvarez.

Barcelona's lineup: Garcia - Kounde, Eric Garcia, Gerard Martin, Cancelo - Gavi, Pedri - Fermin Lopez, Olmo, Yamal, Ferran Torres.

What were the key lineup decisions for the Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona Champions League clash?

For Atletico Madrid, Jan Oblak was benched despite recovering from injury, with Musso starting in goal. Barcelona's coach Hansi Flick opted to start Ferran Torres as the main striker, leaving Robert Lewandowski on the bench, and Gavi in midfield.

Why was Jan Oblak benched for Atletico Madrid's match against Barcelona?

Jan Oblak was benched for Atletico Madrid's crucial Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona because he has not fully regained his physical readiness, despite being cleared to return to the squad list.

How does Hansi Flick's decision to start Ferran Torres impact Barcelona's attack?

Hansi Flick's decision to start Ferran Torres as the main striker for Barcelona means Robert Lewandowski, their usual prolific scorer, will begin the match on the bench. This tactical choice aims to bring a different dynamic to the attack against Atletico Madrid.