Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona – La Liga – Preview

Posted on October 14, 2017 by Sreya

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona – Atletico Madrid hosts Barcelona at Wanda Metropolitano on 14th October as La Liga resumes after the international break.

Atletico Madrid are fourth in the league standings with fifteen points, while Barcelona are the league leaders with twenty-one points.

Barcelona will look to carry forward the momentum they had achieved before the international break with the 3-0 win over Las Palmas. Atletico Madrid had played out a goalless draw against Leganes.

Team News

Sime Vrsjalko will face a late fitness test for the hosts while the visitors will be without the injured Ousmane Dembele and Rafinha.

Atletico Madrid Possible Starting Lineup: Jan Oblak, Jose Gimenez, Stefan Savic, Diego Godin, Felipe Luis, Koke, Gabi, Thomas Partey, Saul Niguez, Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa.

Barcelona Possible Starting Lineup: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umiti, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Denis Suarez.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“Barca have reinvented themselves after the departure of Neymar. They do not stop wanting to win. They have a winning gene, they do not get tired. We have not beaten Barcelona in the league, but we’ve always played well against them.”

– Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid.

“Atlético are uncomfortable opponents because they make their goals count; they are difficult to score against and are very solid defensively. We know that if they get ahead then they can make life tricky for us and our intention is to give them very few chances.”

– Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona H2H Stats, Barcelona have won three and drawn two of their previous five league encounters with Atletico Madrid. However, Simeone’s side got the better of the Catalan club during their 2015/16 UEFA Champions League meeting.

It should be a closely contested affair but Barcelona are likely to win 2-1.