It’s one of the most contested games in the history of football and in recent years has had a dramatic component added – rarely has there been a clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid that has failed to live up to the hype.The most significant encounters have come more recently between the Catalans and Rojiblancos.In 2014, Koke scored an early goal in the Champions League quarter-final at the Estadio Vicente Calderon and Atletico went on to win the game 2-1 on aggregate, eventually losing to city rivals Real Madrid in the final.
In the same year Atletico were at it again, this time at Camp Nou.Diego Simeone’s side were on the brink of a first La Liga title in 17 years, and lost the lead to a bullet of a goal by Alexis Sanchez ten minutes from half-time.They regained focus and Diego Godin headed home early in the second-half securing the required draw for Atletico and the La Liga crown.Revenge would ultimately come for the Blaugrana in the 2014/15 season, where they won an unprecedented second treble.
In that season’s Copa del Rey, the second leg at the Estadio Vicente Calderon was evenly poised with Barcelona holding a 1-0 advantage from the first-leg.Fernando Torres scored early on but Barcelona ran out eventual 4-2 winners on aggregate, in a game most remembered for its fieriness.Gabi and Mario Suarez both received red cards and former Atleti player Arda Turan lost his temper and threw his boot at the linesman.
Later in the league campaign, and with just two games left to play and Real Madrid hot on their tails, the Catalans needed a win at the Calderon to regain their crown.Lionel Messi struck to score the only goal of the game and this time it was Barcelona celebrating on their opponent’s turf – exactly a year after Atletico had done the same at Camp Nou.This season’s encounters have seen Barcelona win 2-1 on both occasions, but the last meeting was most remembered for Filipe Luis’ horror tackle on Messi.
