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Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: Expected Starting XI for first place league spot

By Nishant Narayanan

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona looks to continue their fight for the first place spot in La Liga as Antonie Grezmann faces his former club for the first time in a Barca shirt.

Barcelona secured a spot in the Round of 16 of the Champions League after their spectacular victory over Borussia Dortmund and are now back in La Liga action against Athletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

After securing the first spot in the Champions League group stage, Barca turns their focus on La Liga as three crucial games lie ahead for Barca in December; Sunday’s match against Athletico Madrid followed by the one against fourth-place Real Sociedad who are currently ahead of Atletico in the standings and  finally the match of the month against Real Madrid, El Clasico.

Barca’s summer signing Antoine Greizmann will make his return to Wanda Metropolitano for the first time in a Blaugrana shirt and the fixture will surely be a tough test for both the player and Ernesto Valverde’s squad.

Expected Starting XI (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Right-Back: Sergio Roberto
Centre-Back(right): Gerard Pique
Centre-Back(left): Clement Lenglet
Left-Back: Junior Firpo
Central Midfielder(right): Ivan Rakitic
Defensive Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong
Central Midfielder(left): Arthur Melo
Right-Winger: Lionel Messi
Center-Forward: Luis Suárez
Left-Winger:  Antonie Greizmann

Marc-Andre ter Stegen will stay in the goal and will look to continue his outstanding performance between the posts. At right-back, Sergi Roberto will continue after his performance against Dortmund unless Moussa Wague gets the coach’s approval.

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After Gerard Pique’s much-needed break due to his suspension for the Champions League clash, he will return to the starting lineup with either Samuel Umtiti or Clement Lenglet. Umtiti has recently returned from his knee injury and is actively fighting for his spot in the back. Junior Firpo is expected to retain his spot at Left-Back and prove his talent.

With Sergio Busquets’s suspension, Frenkie de Jong will move to the defensive midfield position. Arthur Melo was excluded from the game against Dortmund but should return for this one. Ivan Rakitic will hope to have another start after a surprise appearance in the Champions League match, while Arthuro Vidal is still struggling to find his minutes after a public demand of wanting an important role at the club.

With Ousmane Dembele being out for 10 weeks, Antoine Greizmann should be the undisputed starter against Athletico. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will join the former Athletico Madrid player after their spectacular display against Dortmund. Youngsters Ansu Fati and Carles Perez will be available on the bench as substitutes for Valverde‘s attacking trio.

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