The 6 reasons why Atletico can still overcome Barcelona

Atletico Madrid will have felt downbeat following their 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but history dictates that forlorn feelings could easily still be replaced by joy.

Fernando Torres put the visitors ahead on the night, but his red card and two goals from Luis Suarez ensured those in the Camp Nou went home happy.

However, all hope is not gone for the Colchoneros as they have a European pedigree that increases their chance of overcoming their La Liga rivals.

Diego Simeone’s side are priced at 10/3 to make it to the semi-finals and these six examples show why they should be backed:

1962/63 Cup Winners Cup semi finals v Nuremberg

Back in the days when this competition still existed, Atleti left Germany with a 2-1 defeat, but a 2-0 win in Spain saw them advance.

It transpired that they needn’t have bothered with such a dramatic turnaround as they lost 5-1 to Tottenham in the final.

1970/71 European Cup second round v Cagliari

This comeback was even more emphatic, with the Rojiblancos winning 3-0 at the Vicente Calderon after their initial setback.

1976/77 Cup Winners Cup quarter finals v Levski Spartak

Back when Levski Sofia went by another name, they lost 2-0 in Madrid having previously put themselves in a good position.

Atletico then threw away a 3-1 home lead in the semi-finals as Hamburg dumped them out of the competition.

1977/78 European Cup first round v Dinamo Bucuresti

A late Ruben Cano goal secured the then Spanish champion’s progression in a 2-0 win.

The Argentinean exile, who later went on to represent Spain internationally, earned a huge ovation from the Vicente Calderon when his 81st minute lob guaranteed victory.

1993/94 UEFA Cup first round v Hearts

It’s hard to imagine now, but back in the early nineties Hearts beat Atletico Madrid at Tynecastle.

However, what’s more believable is that the Scottish outfit would go on to lose the return leg 3-0.

1998/99 UEFA Cup third round v Real Sociedad

Much like this year, Atleti went into their second leg trailing a fellow La Liga outfit.

A tense game finished 2-1 in normal time, but goals from Santi and Jose Mari saw a team containing the soon-to-be-Middlesbrough-bound Juninho make it through at the expense of their domestic rivals.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.