Joao Felix returned to goal-scoring form as he ended up netting the crucial goal to give FC Barcelona a crucial victory to ensure their qualification for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
His return to form couldn’t have come at a much better time as he faces a familiar foe this weekend with the Catalans hosting Atletico Madrid for a crucial La Liga fixture.
Despite, Felix’s good form, the match against Atletico Madrid would be difficult one for Barcelona as the Rojiblancos come into the fixture after a comfortable 1-3 victory against Dutch side, Feyenoord, in the Champions League.
Still, Felix will have an added motivation in the match against Atletico Madrid, as ever since he put pen to paper for Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone never viewed him as the ideal replacement for French star Antoine Griezmann – who joined the Catalans for hefty fee of €120 million.
Diego Simeone was unable to extract good performances from the Portuguese forward. Felix expressed his unhappiness as he felt he wasn’t being played in the positions where he could be the most dangerous. To add salt to the wound, Felix’s injuries and stats did not help his case either.
The Portuguese did not hesitate in being open with his frustration as he showed his anger most of the times, when he was substituted, went off the field and into the locker room, and ending up even kicking the bench. Meanwhile, the Los Rojiblancos coach appeared to tend to him and give him minutes.
Speaking on the player’s relationship with the coach, Gil Marin spoke during the World Cup in Qatar where he said, “He has the highest world-class level, but the relationship between the coach and him is not good, nor is his motivation. It is reasonable to think he will leave, although I would love him to stay, but that is not the player’s idea.”
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the entire relationship between the player and coach blew up in the summer transfer window, when Joao Felix expressed his desire to play for Barcelona while wearing the Atletico Madrid jersey and this did not end up well with the fans. This was perhaps Joao’s way of pressuring for an exit away from the Wanda Metropolitano.
Talking about his relationship with the forward, Simeone said: “I don’t clash with him, I am clear and I tell him what I feel. He knows what my coaching profile is and he knows that I like to train with great joy.” Joao Felix also ended up responding, “He has his way of understanding and seeing football that others don’t have. He is a very good coach. He has made me a better player.”
Evidently, Felix does respect Simeone, but a move away from Atletico Madrid was the best thing to happen for both sides. Now, on Sunday, Joao Felix will face a side with familiar faces and would hope to put on a performance that ensures a victory for FC Barcelona.
