On Sunday, FC Barcelona hosts Atletico Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in the most crucial stage of the La Liga title race. After a disappointing loss against Laganes last weekend, the Catalan clubs would love a strong comeback against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.
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FC Barcelona’s form has not been good recently after a stellar start to the season. They are coming into the match with only one win in the last six matches. Face a devastating two-match loss in a row against teams that are on the verge of relegation from the league. Performances of the Catalan club have not been poor but rather frustrating, unable to score against teams that are defensively composed and good at low blocks. Whereas Atletico Madrid’s hot run continues with 11 matches unbeaten in all competitions, conceding only seven goals. Diego Simeone’s team are calm on the ball, with a great positioning without the ball and quick transitions that make them lethal.
The Match Build-up
The match will be equally crucial for both clubs seeking the top spot in the league. Currently, Barca stands top with 38 points, coinciding with Atletico’s points, who are second in the league. Atletico would love to break their winless streak away at Barca since 2006. The win will secure the top spot in the league, as it becomes important because Real Madrid is at 37 points with a game in hand.
La Liga spicing up with the dramatic title race among the top teams in the league.
Key Players Out Injured
The Catalan Club’s major missing will be Lamine Yamal. Barca had lost or struggled in every match that Lamine had not started or was out injured. He will be missing this game with an ankle injury. On that, Barca’s head coach will also be serving a touchline ban
Atletico’s player fitness has been great this season, the only player in doubt coming into the match would be Angel Correa.
Possible Line-Ups
Barcelona’s Possible line up (4-3-3): Pena(GK), Inigo Martinez, Cubarsi, Balde, Kounde, Pedri, Casado, Olmo, Ferran Tores, Lewandowski, Raphinha
With Lamine sidelined due to injury, Fermin Lopez or Olmo would fit best to fill the void as the number. The back-line stays the same with a double pivot to the mid with Pedri and Casado. Raphinha shifted to the right wing while Tores to the left. Lewandowski is leading the front as a central forward.
Atletico Madrid’s Possible line-up:(4-4-2) Oblak(GK), Giminez, Lenglet, Galan, Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Lino, Simeone, Griezman, Alvarez.
Diego Simeone will probably deploy his strongest eleven. No change in the defense with De Paul and Barriosn in the central mid-field. Lino covering the the left flank of the pitch with his blistering pace.
Scoreline Prediction
The match will be tight as it can be a decider to end up top in the league, with a lot of intensity. Barca will hold their high press and off-side traps, and Madrid with the compact mid. All though Barca will try to go out wide using their flanks. But Atletico, on their day, can tear apart any team in Europe with their low blocks and compactness. I would give Atletico a 2-1 win over the Blaugranas.
