PREVIEW: Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona
Following the 4-3 extra time win at Intercity in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, Barça now return to Liga action and one of the hottest fixtures of the season. Even though Atlético Madrid are not having the best of seasons, the Metropolitano is never an easy place to go. Indeed, Diego Simone's side has emerged victorious (2-0 and 1-0) the last two times Barça visited.
But following the 2-1 defeat of Real Madrid at the hands of Villarreal on Saturday, Barça now have the chance to go three points clear at the top of the table.
Head to head
Last five meetings
30/6/20 (LIGA) Barça 2 (OG, Messi) Atlético 2
21/11/20 (LIGA) Atlético 1 Barça 0
8/5/21 (LIGA) Barça 0 Atlético 0
2/10/21 (LIGA) Atlético 2 Barça 0
06/02/22 (LIGA) Barça 4 (Alba, Gavi, Araujo, Alves) Atlético 2
Earlier this season, Barça ended a run of three games without scoring against Atlético by winning 4-2 at Spotify Camp Nou. Carrasco had given the visitors an early lead, but Barça promptly responded and ended up taking the three points with relative ease, which is unusual in what has typically been a very closely fought contest.
Before losing the last two games at the Metropolitano, Barça were on an impressive run of 20 games without losing to Atlético in the league.
Team news
Barça go into this game with two key players suspended. After getting a repreive against Espanyol, Robert Lewandowski has now been confirmed as having a three-game ban, while Jordi Alba is also unable to play after getting red carded in the derby.
But Barça have little to worry about concerning injuries and the squad for the game is as follows: Ter Stegen, Bellerín, R. Araujo, Sergio, O. Dembélé, Pedri, Ansu Fati, Ferran, Iñaki Peña, Memphis, Christensen, Marcos A., Kessie, S. Roberto, F. De Jong, Raphinha, Kounde, Eric, Balde, Gavi, Pablo Torre and Arnau Tenas.
Atlético Madrid form guide
This has not been the best of seasons by Atlético's usual high standards, and they are 11 points adrift of the top of the table, but things have gradually been improving and a 2-0 win over Elche in the first back after the World Cup was enough to get them into the Champions League places.
The Champions League was an especially bad experience for the 'mattress-makers'. They finished bottom of a group shared with Porto, Brugge and Leverkusen, meaning they don't even have Europa League football as compensation.
Xavi says
"We're playing well but we need to be more effective and take our chances. It's more of a mental than a tactical issue. We are outplaying our opponents but aren't killing off games.
"Beating Atlético won't decide anything but it we'd be slamming down hard on the table. But they are rock-tight at the back They're chameleon-like, you never know what to expect with Atlético."