Everything Barca
Fansided

Match Preview: Barcelona face in-form Atletico Madrid

By Sarah Salahpour

Luis Suarez goal celebration during the match between FC Barcelona and Girona FC, for the round 25 of the Liga Santander, played at the Camp Nou Stadium on 25th February 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. -- (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Luis Suarez goal celebration during the match between FC Barcelona and Girona FC, for the round 25 of the Liga Santander, played at the Camp Nou Stadium on 25th February 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. -- (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Barcelona face their biggest test of the La Liga season when they place second-place Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou in a match that will impact the title race.

On Sunday, the Camp Nou will host one of the most anticipated matches of the season. Barcelona will take on a very in-form and lethal Atletico Madrid side, who sit only five points away from the Catalan leaders. This match will impact the title race and a result is imperative for the Blaugrana.

It seemed like Barcelona were flying solo in La Liga at the top of the table. They had an incredible advantage during the first half of the season. However, their recent slip-ups have let Los Rojiblancos catch up. They are now only a few points away from Ernesto Valverde’s team, thus making this league fixture even more intense.

Barca’s probable line-up

Valverde has called up all his players with the exception of Denis Suarez, Aleix Vidal (who started against Las Palmas on Thursday) and new signing Yerry Mina. The stakes are high for the Catalans, as they must secure the three points to continue their lead in La Liga. With that being said, Valverde will most likely opt for his strongest line-up to face Antoine Griezmann and Company.

More from Everything Barca

Barcelona’s possible XI: Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele.

The coach has the option to return to the team’s famous 4-3-3 formation, playing the French youngster alongside Messi and Suarez. However, Valverde can still manage his preferred 4-4-2 system, sliding Dembele just behind Barcelona’s front men.

More than just possession

The two main qualities this Barca side need to bring to the pitch on Sunday is aggressiveness and speed. Their last couple matches have caused some doubts about their style of play and despite their long spells of ball possession, the players are lacking intensity and quickness when passing the ball around. Let’s take their clash against Chelsea as an example.

The Catalans completely dominated the Blues in terms of possession, but which team had the more chances? Chelsea. Barely anything was created from Barca holding the ball due to their lack of speed and intensity. Therefore, the Catalans must turn up the notch and be more aggressive against Atletico if they hope to claim the three golden points and remain strong leaders in La Liga.

Next: Barca draw at Las Palmas

Atletico Madrid will arrive at the Camp Nou in high spirits after thrashing Leganes 4-0 at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa have formed into a lethal duo and are a complete nightmare for defenders. They will make Barcelona’s job even more difficult. Nonetheless, it will be a great match to watch, as the some of the greatest footballers go head-to-head in the title race.

Home/FC Barcelona News