Mountains to climb for Barca, Liverpool

Will Tuesday night produce yet another incredible chapter of Champions League comeback, or will it see a predictable script?

Barcelona, traveling to the Spanish capital to face Atletico Madrid, and Liverpool, welcoming defending champions PSG to Anfield, will definitely hope for the former to come true. But for that, both sides would need to climb mountains, having lost their respective first-leg quarterfinals by identical 2-0 margins.

For Barcelona, the task appears particularly daunting as they head to the Metropolitano, where Atletico have been formidable. Hansi Flick’s side were stunned at home in the first leg, undone by a red card and ruthless finishing, despite dominating large spells. History offers little comfort -- only twice has a team overturned a two-goal first-leg home defeat in a knockout tie in the competition’s history.

Yet Barca arrive with renewed confidence after a 4-1 league win over Espanyol, with Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres in fine touch, while Marcus Rashford -- who scored off the bench in that game -- could again prove pivotal. The England forward, who missed a string of chances in the first leg, insisted Barcelona have the belief to turn the tie around.

“This team is always going to create chances… on another day, they go in,” Rashford said, adding that their “mindset and intent” must be at its peak to engineer a comeback.

Flick will once again rely on attacking intent, even if that approach leaves them vulnerable. Barca have struggled defensively, conceding in 14 straight Champions League games, while Atletico boast one of the most potent home attacks in the competition. Julian Alvarez, who opened the scoring in the first leg, remains their biggest threat, alongside the ever-dangerous Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth.

At Anfield, Liverpool will bank on history and atmosphere as they attempt to overturn their own 2-0 deficit against PSG. The Reds were comprehensively outplayed in Paris, failing to register a shot on target, as goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia handed the holders control of the tie.

But Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes another famous European night is possible.

“We are at home, and we have to show belief… it needs a special performance,” said Van Dijk, who was part of the side that famously overturned a three-goal deficit against Barcelona at Anfield in 2019.

Manager Arne Slot echoed that sentiment, calling on the Anfield crowd to inspire his side. “Anfield has shown many times that it can lift the team to another level and we need that again,” he said.

Liverpool’s recent 2-0 win over Fulham -- featuring goals from youngster Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah -- offers some momentum, but questions remain over consistency and defensive solidity.

PSG, meanwhile, arrive well-rested and in ruthless form, with Kvaratskhelia continuing a remarkable scoring streak in knockout matches.

Whether it is Barcelona’s attacking gamble in Madrid or Liverpool’s reliance on Anfield magic, Tuesday night promises high stakes -- and the possibility of another unforgettable chapter in Champions League folklore.