Following a hard-fought Copa del Rey victory over third-tier side Intercity, Barcelona head to Madrid to face Atlético in a pivotal La Liga encounter. While Xavi’s men have shown vulnerabilities recently, Atlético’s form has been equally inconsistent, setting the stage for what could be an exciting and evenly matched showdown.
Barca News Network brings you four key talking points ahead of Barça vs. Atlético Madrid.
1. A Challenging Build-Up
The midweek Copa del Rey tie did not go as planned for Barcelona, as they needed extra time to secure a narrow win against Intercity. The additional 30 minutes of play put an extra burden on the squad, which is far from ideal ahead of such a high-stakes clash.
Xavi made significant rotations during the cup fixture to preserve his key players for Atlético. For instance, Pedri was not even included in the traveling squad, while the entire starting XI from the Espanyol match was rested—except for Jordi Alba, who will miss the Atlético game due to suspension.
This careful management highlights the importance of the upcoming fixture and the toll the Copa del Rey exerted on the team.
2. An Opponent in Crisis?
Fortunately for Barça, Atlético Madrid are also navigating turbulent times. While Diego Simeone’s men have won their last two games post-World Cup, their performances have been far from convincing. Against mid- and lower-table sides, Atlético have often appeared toothless in attack, heavily reliant on Antoine Griezmann for creativity, while their defensive lapses have cost them valuable points.
Adding to their woes, Atlético endured a disastrous Champions League campaign, finishing last in their group. Internal tensions, including the widely reported conflict between Simeone and João Félix, have only exacerbated the club’s struggles. This volatile environment raises questions about their long-term stability, though the fallout may not happen just yet.
3. The Return of Simeone-Ball
Despite their recent struggles, Atlético tend to thrive against big teams, reverting to their trademark ultra-defensive style under Simeone. This so-called “Simeone-ball” remains deeply ingrained in Atlético’s identity and is particularly effective against possession-heavy teams like Barcelona.
While Atlético have faltered against weaker sides that require them to dominate, they excel in frustrating more attacking opponents with their compact defensive setup and lethal counterattacks. Xavi successfully unlocked this defense in their last meeting, but doing so again will be no small task.
4. Replacing Lewandowski
One major difference from last year’s 4-2 win over Atlético at Camp Nou is the absence of Robert Lewandowski, who has transformed Barça’s attack since his arrival. However, the Polish striker’s suspension forces Xavi to explore alternative options, potentially offering an opportunity to diversify the team’s attacking approach.
Based on recent performances, Ansu Fati is a strong candidate to lead the line. His decisive extra-time winner against Intercity has boosted his confidence, and many expect him to step up in Lewandowski’s absence. Alternatively, Ferran Torres could also feature in the striker role.
Unlocking Atlético’s defensive setup will require a creative solution, and Xavi might even consider a tactical tweak to catch Simeone off guard. At the same time, Barça must remain cautious of Atlético’s counterattacking threats, spearheaded by players like Griezmann, Álvaro Morata, Yannick Carrasco, and possibly Félix.
A Battle of Philosophies
The clash between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid represents more than just a battle for three points—it’s a showdown of contrasting football philosophies. While Xavi’s possession-based style seeks to dominate and create, Simeone’s pragmatic approach prioritizes defensive solidity and quick transitions.
With both teams vying to solidify their positions in La Liga, this promises to be an exciting and crucial encounter between two of Spain’s biggest clubs.
Força Barça!
