Matchday 16 of La Liga is underway, and all headlines remain reserved for the ninety minutes of football to come from the Civitas Metropolitano on Sunday night. After all, Barcelona against Atletico Madrid is a special game that sees not only two top-notch sides but also two starkly different styles of football, go head-to-head.
The kings of Catalonia currently lead the La Liga standings with 38 points in 15 games. Their opponents, meanwhile, are fourth on the table, winning eight of their 15 games and losing four in the process. Xavi Hernandez and Diego Simeone both find themselves under pressure and scrutiny ahead of the game.
The Argentine manager has struggled to give his side an identity in their ongoing campaign, while his Spanish counterpart has not been entirely convincing with his decision-making and tactical manoeuvres.
Come Sunday, both tacticians will look to bring out their A-game and outsmart the other in a game that transcends a mere 90 minutes on the field. Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona.
1. Coming off a win, but at what cost?
Barcelona’s last match against CF Intercity did not fall short of drama in any proportion. The thrilling game saw the Catalans take the lead three times, only to be pegged back on all three occasions by their relentless and evenly-matched opposition.
It was Ansu Fati who gave the Blaugrana the win in extra time with a well-worked finish. The game had everything in it to boast of a special storyline and draw praise for Barcelona’s ability to come back repeatedly despite being pegged back. The only problem, however, was that their opposition was from the third division.
Intercity play in the same division as Barca Athletic and sit lower than the Catalans’ subsidiary side on the standings. For Xavi’s men to concede three times and risk being knocked out by a team so far below in quality brings pertinent questions with it.
In such circumstances, the win means nothing. A shambolic display of such proportions in the third round of the Copa del Rey will have taken a toll on the minds of the players and the manager. To come out of such a low and pull-up one’s socks is easier said than done.
Needless to say, Xavi would have hopes to enter the clash against Atletico Madrid off the back of a better performance. Facing one of the strongest sides in Spain on Sunday, the Catalans must put the past behind them and step onto the field with a fresh mind.
The onus of the same will be on Xavi and the team veterans, and their handling of the situation will contribute to much of the result.
2. The suspension factor
Robert Lewandowski was permitted to play in the Catalan derby last weekend after the Central Contentious Court of Madrid temporarily lifted his suspension until Barcelona’s appeal could be re-investigated. There was a hope that the Pole would be available for the team’s game against Atletico Madrid, but the situation is now different.
After the CAS stuck with its initial decision to ban the player for three games, Barça revealed that they would abide by the punishment and not challenge it again. Thus, the Blaugrana will be without the services of their top scorer at the Metropolitano.
Memphis Depay, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati are the candidates running to replace the former Bayern Munich man. However, if the midweek fixture is anything to go by, Xavi would prefer to hand the start to Fati.
The Spanish international might not be the same player he was before his injury but his tenacity and fearlessness could prove to be an X-factor. Moreover, it would only be fair of the manager to back the protege after his match-winning goal against Intercity.
Lewandowski will not be the only starter Barcelona will be without on Sunday. Mateu Lahoz’s decision to send off Jordi Alba for his harsh words could prove costly on Sunday as the full-back will be unavailable for a call-up.
Nevertheless, the left-back position is less of a concern. Alejandro Balde has been Xavi’s primary weapon this season and will replace the veteran with no compromise in quality.
3. A test of grit
Football is a game of momentum, even for the best sides in the world. As the game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid approaches, it is increasingly clear that the momentum favours the hosts.
Los Rojiblancos have played three games since the restart, scoring seven goals and conceding just one in the process. Simeone’s men dominated on all three occasions and unsurprisingly came out on top all three times.
Meanwhile, not much has to be said about Barcelona’s condition. The only respite for the Blaugrana are their dominant statistics in the league this season. Yet, that too is a reflection of their performance two months ago.
Barcelona and Real Madrid currently stand neck-to-neck on points with the former being ahead just on goal difference. Both sides face tough opposition in Matchday 16, but any slip-up from Xavi’s side would open the doors for Carlo Ancelotti’s men to take the number one spot.
Facing one of La Liga’s most resilient defensive setups, Sunday’s game will be an ultimate test of Barcelona’s grit and determination. It will not be easy for the visitors to break down Simeone’s stubborn backline, but it is not a feat they are not capable of.
Pedri’s return will be a massive factor, but the protege alone can only do so much. Every player in the garnet-and-blue will have to churn out tireless high-quality football on the night and prove that they belong on the field. After all, very few in the current Barcelona setup can claim to be guaranteed a spot under Xavi.