Barcelona will face Atlético Madrid in a La Liga match. This is the fourth time the two sides have met this season. The match takes place in Madrid.
Barcelona are aiming to defend their La Liga title. They also have one eye on their upcoming Champions League quarterfinal first leg with Atléti on Wednesday. The return fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14.
The pair have already battled in the Copa del Rey semifinals this term. Atlético won 4–3 on aggregate despite conceding three unanswered goals during the second leg. Barcelona won the league meeting 3–1 back in December at Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s Title Defence on the Line
Atlético Madrid have more or less given up in La Liga. They are instead prioritising the Champions League and Copa del Rey final. Hansi Flick’s side desperately need three points to stave off Real Madrid this weekend. They are currently four points ahead of their Clásico rivals and will not want to leave the door ajar.
The outcome of Saturday’s match might come down to who wants victory more. For Atléti, the league season is effectively over, Champions League qualification all but secured without any hopes of competing for the title. However, La Blaugrana have much more riding on the game.
While both teams must consider Wednesday’s Champions League meeting, Barça simply can’t afford to take things easy this weekend with Real Madrid on their tail. They will have to play with intensity and fervor that should prove too powerful for their hosts.
Tactical Considerations and Predicted Lineups
Barça will have learned from their four-goal defeat at the Metropolitano. They will now be prepared to deal with Atléti’s direct approach against their high line. A shot at redemption and to land a psychological blow ahead of upcoming clashes could prove too good to turn down for Flick’s men.
Diego Simeone will ideally want to rotate where possible. Perhaps the reason Alexander Sørloth starts ahead of Antoine Griezmann. However, injury and suspension issues across the team offer him numerous selection headaches.
Marcos Llorente is a notable miss for Simeone through suspension. Johnny Cardoso is also banned for the Barcelona clash for reaching the yellow card threshold. Injury-wise, there are many doubts for the match.
Marc Pubill, Jan Oblak, Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza are all risks for the clash.
Atlético predicted lineup vs. Barcelona (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Baena, Koke, Lookman; Alvarez, Sørloth.
Barcelona’s Injury Concerns
Barcelona are too missing key names for the clash, notably without Raphinha. The Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury on international duty that will sideline him until May. He joins Andreas Christensen on the absentee list.
Frenkie de Jong appears almost certain to miss the first of three upcoming Atléti battles, but could make his
Match Prediction
Prediction: Atlético Madrid 1–2 Barcelona
The result of this match will have implications for both teams, with Barcelona fighting to maintain their lead in La Liga and Atlético looking ahead to Champions League and Copa del Rey ambitions.