Barcelona is preparing for a decisive match against Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, with a clear desire to settle scores, not only due to the exit from the Copa del Rey but also to break a historical jinx in the continental competition.

The Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo' reported that the draw held on February 27 in the city of Nyon set the possibility of a Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clash in the quarter-finals, should both teams overcome the round of 16 against Newcastle and Tottenham, which they did, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.

According to the newspaper, the two teams will meet three times within a short period not exceeding 15 days, with the first leg of the Champions League being held at Camp Nou on April 8, while the return leg will be played on April 14 at the Metropolitano Stadium, alongside another encounter in La Liga on April 4 at the same venue.

Mundo Deportivo pointed out that Barcelona enters these matches with a sense of revenge after being knocked out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals by Atletico Madrid, having lost the first leg 4-0 at the Metropolitano Stadium, in a match that saw a goal for Couparsi disallowed after a seven-minute VAR review, before the Catalan team came close to a comeback in the second leg but fell short by one goal to force extra time.

The newspaper added that Barcelona's ambitions are not limited to restoring pride in the cup but also extend to ending its historical jinx against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, as the two teams have met only twice in the competition, both in the quarter-finals, with the Madrid team led by coach Diego Simeone advancing on both occasions.

The same source explained that the first encounter was in the 2013/2014 season when the teams drew 1-1 in the first leg before Atletico won 1-0 in the return leg at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, in a match characterized by tactical caution.

The teams met again in the 2015/2016 season, where Barcelona won the first leg 2-1 at home under coach Luis Enrique, thanks to a brace from Luis Suarez, but Atletico turned the tables in the return leg with a brace from Antoine Griezmann, securing a spot in the semi-finals.

The report confirmed that this will be the third encounter between the teams in the Champions League, all in the quarter-finals, where Barcelona, led by coach Hans Flick, aims to change history and overcome this European hurdle.