Five Barcelona players at risk of suspension heading into must-win Atletico Madrid clash

Five Barcelona players at risk of suspension heading into must-win Atletico Madrid clash

There is no room for error as Barcelona prepare for a do-or-die night against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Trailing 0-2 from the first leg, the Catalan giants must deliver a near-perfect performance at the Metropolitano Stadium to keep their European dream alive.

The task is already demanding – score goals, stay defensively compact, and handle the pressure of a hostile away environment.

But there is another factor of complexity that cannot be ignored, which is the looming threat of suspensions.

Five players walking a fine line

Heading into this crucial encounter, Barcelona have as many as five players just one booking away from missing the semi-final first leg should they manage to pull off the comeback.

Naturally, the focus inside the dressing room will remain on the job at hand, as progression is the only priority.

However, the reality is that certain players must tread carefully, as one mistimed challenge could have major consequences beyond this match.

Barcelona have five players at risk of suspension. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The most high-profile name on that list is Lamine Yamal. Despite his young age, he remains a key attacking outlet, making his availability for a potential semi-final equally important.

Alongside him, Gerard Martin, Fermin Lopez and Marc Casado are also at risk.

Each of them has played a role in Barcelona’s European journey so far and could be vital if the team advances.

The latest addition to this list is Joao Cancelo, who picked up a yellow card earlier in the knockout stages, putting him in the danger zone ahead of this decisive clash.

A delicate balance for Flick

For manager Hansi Flick, this creates a difficult balancing act, as Barcelona must play with intensity and aggression to overturn the deficit, yet avoid unnecessary bookings that could weaken them in the next round.

There is, however, a small piece of good news. Under current competition rules, all yellow cards are wiped clean after the quarter-finals.

This means that any player who avoids a booking in this match and helps Barcelona progress will start the semi-finals with a clean slate.