PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Atalanta

PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Atalanta

On Wednesday at 9pm CET; FC Barcelona will be hoping to secure at top two finish in the Champions League

Barça have very much got most of the hard work done in Europe already. While the final round of matches on Wednesday night at 9pm CET is a do-or-die situation for some, the Catalans are already assured a top eight finish, meaning they'll get a bye through the playoffs and directly into the last sixteen.

However, as the knockout bracket is determined based on positions in the League Stage, it is important to ensure as high a finish as possible. However, even in that department, Barça don't have too much to worry about. A win in their final game at home to Atalanta would ensure a top two finish, while their goal difference is so strong that a draw would probably suffice as well.

In the case of defeat, Barça would probably get overtaken by one of Arsenal or Inter, but even then, the chances of them dropping any lower than fourth depend on an extremely unlikely scenario.

Flying high

Barça are in such a privileged position thanks to their six wins in the seven games played in the competition to date, a 100 per cent record since losing to Monaco on the opening day.

Fans of the Spanish Super Cup champions and Copa del Rey quarter finalists are in a buoyant mood, especially as the team has finally put a bad patch in La Liga behind them with a resounding 7-1 victory over Valencia on Sunday.

First meeting

So, the pressure is off as they face Serie A club Atalanta for the first time ever. The side from Bergamo have been punching above their weight for several years now, including winning the Europa League last season and leading the way for much of the Italian league season. A lull in form has seen them drop to third, while they are an impressive seventh in the Champions League.

That means they'll be coming to the Estadi Olimpic knowing that nothing other than a win will serve them. A point wouldn't be enough. There are so many sides lurking just below them in the table, that a draw would almost certainly shift them out of the top eight and into a playoff round that they would rather avoid. That makes the Italians especially dangerous, but also suggesst we could in for thrilling encounter.

Team news

Marc Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are out for the season, and neither Dani Olmo nor Iñigo Martinez are able to play in this one either. And there was a further blow this Tuesday when it was announced that Andreas Christensen, who only recently returned from injury, has a strain and will not be available for selection.

Meanwhile, Atalanta are without Ivorian loanee from Leverkusen Odilon Kossounou in defence and Italian international striker Gianluca Scamacca up front. Most seriously of all, they are also missing star forward Ademola Lookman to a knee problem.

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