Will Barcelona Bounce Back From Their Recent Debacles?
Barcelona will compete to keep League hopes alive when they take on Diego Simeone’s Atletico at Vicente Calderon.
The title race for La Liga has reached to an important juncture of time. Barcelona got a boost in their league hopes as Real Madrid lost to Valencia. The current top spot holders also have a difficult away trip to Villarreal which might turn the tides against them. But before that match, Barca have a chance to pile up pressure on Real as FCB will be tested again by Atletico. It will be interesting to see how Barca players and Lucho respond to all the things happening in last few days. The game might prove vital for Barcelona as they have been pushed back by their recent failures.
Speaking about the away side, the last 2 weeks have been a disaster for them in every aspect. The humiliating loss to PSG stirred strong reactions from all fans around the globe. Expectations of a new strategic game against Leganes were washed out in Camp Nou. Even though Barca won it by a whisker, home fans whistled some of the players which raised the eyebrows of many.
This next match has become really important as Barcelona seek redemption against a well-known rival. Barca will be without Masche and Vidal. However, Arda along with Busquets will return to the squad. Lucho has a luxury squad with star players but he has been tactically outplayed on no. of occasions.
More from Everything Barca
- FC Barcelona tracking Belgian Wonderkid
- FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- Barcelona interested in €30 million wonderkid
As per some pundits, he might switch to 4-2-3-1 formula which might be something new to look out for. Barcelona has been inconsistent in the league so far but a team with MSN upfront is always a big threat. They along with Iniesta have the ability to change the game in a matter of time. Even though they conceded 4 goals against PSG, they hold a very good defensive record in the league.
Considering league position of the home side, we can easily say that they have been through ups and downs. This Atletico side is far away from their best this season but a threat when they play at home. Simeone’s men haven’t been sensational but they showed a glimpse of their form against Bayern Leverkusen. The 4-2 victory in Champions League saw Gameiro, Griezmann, Torres and Saul on the score sheet with sparks of brilliance.
The team with Carrasco, Koke and others will not keep any page unturned as they seek CDR semi revenge. The home team will be without Tiago, Juanfran and Augusto Fernandez but Diego Godin is likely to be back in the squad. This Atletico side is quite experienced to turn the things in a flash and will look to cause an upset in the league. A win here might prove vital as they will hold a chance to finish in the top 4 this season.
Next: Barca with a Potential Move for Isco?
To sum up the things, this is a big opportunity for Catalans to be back at their usual business in the league. A win here will boost their confidence for the return leg against PSG. However, a loss might be the curtains for La Liga hopes as Barca will further slip down in the league. Playing Atletico away from home will be difficult. Despite that, Barca has proved that theory wrong on a number of occasions. The game will set the tone for upcoming fixtures mostly for Catalans as they seek solutions for their recent failures. It will be an exciting encounter as both teams will try to come out victorious. Even though Barca looks somewhat shaken but with all the stars in the team I will back myself for a 2-1 victory for the away side.