Atlético de Madrid - FC Barcelona: Out for revenge and a blow to LaLiga

FC Barcelona has a unique opportunity to make a statement in the 2024-2025 EA Sports LaLiga. The Blaugrana return to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano to face Atlético de Madrid for Matchday 28 of the competition, aiming for a resounding victory that will allow them to head into the international break with a significant lead in the standings and move even closer to the league title.

• 📺 Schedule and TV: When and where to watch the match live in Spain, Europe, America, Africa, and Asia: WATCH

Hansi Flick's team heads into the match in a state of grace. After displaying admirable resilience following the unfortunate passing of Dr. Miñarro, the Catalans managed to qualify for the Champions League quarterfinals with a resounding 3-1 defeat of Benfica. The Catalans maintain their unbeaten run in 17 matches in 2025, with a record of 14 wins and 3 draws, and the feeling on the pitch is unbeatable, so they hope to take advantage of their momentum to begin paving the way for the championship.

Diego Simeone's team, meanwhile, are "hurt" after their controversial Champions League elimination against Real Madrid. The red-and-whites come into the clash against the Blaugranas at a difficult time, given that, in addition to losing to Real Madrid, they were also defeated by Getafe in the final matchday of LaLiga. Therefore, they will rely on their pride to turn things around against an opponent that has been good for them this season and overtake the Catalans in the standings.

Barça hope to storm the Metropolitano in search of revenge

The recent precedents aren't very encouraging for the Catalans, who have yet to beat the Rojiblancos this season. In the first meeting between the two, at Montjuïc on Matchday 18 of LaLiga, the Madrid side took all three points after overcoming an overwhelming Barça thanks to two separate goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Alexander Sorloth. This defeat at the Estadi Olímpic against the Colchoneros, however, marked a turning point for Flick's team, who have remained unbeaten ever since.

Furthermore, both teams played arguably their best match of the season in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. In an absolutely electrifying and heart-stopping clash, the Blaugrana and Indians drew 4-4 after several back-and-forth encounters. Julián Álvarez and Griezmann put Atleti ahead in the first 10 minutes, but Pedri, Cubarsí, Iñigo, and Lewandowski turned the score around. Llorente and Sorloth eventually leveled the score and maintained Atleti's unbeaten record against the Catalans.

Despite this, Barça's record at the Metropolitano suggests hope for a win. Since the Madrid club's move to their new stadium, the Catalans have recorded a record of 3 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in 7 matches, with a total of 7 goals scored and 5 conceded. Furthermore, the Blaugrana have won three La Liga titles (2017/18, 2018/19, 2022/23), while Atleti have only won one (2020/21) in this time period.

⚽ The seven matches between Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Metropolitano:

• 10/14/2017 - Matchday 8 - Atlético 1-1 Barça
• 11/24/2018 - Matchday 13 - Atlético 1-1 Barça
• 12/01/2019 - Matchday 15 - Atlético 0-1 Barça
• 11/21/2020 - Matchday 10 - Atlético 1-0 Barça
• 02/10/2021 - Matchday 8 - Atlético 2-0 Barça
• 01/08/2023 - Matchday 16 - Atlético 0-1 Barça
• 03/17/2024 - Matchday 29 - Atlético 0-3-Barça

In their last visit to the Atlético stadium, the Catalans won by a resounding 0-3, even though Xavi Hernández's team weren't going through their best form. Joao Félix, 'Lewy', and Fermín López scored the goals in a rout that took place exactly one year ago, on March 17, 2024, in Matchday 29 of a La Liga title that ended with Real Madrid taking the win.

The Blaugrana's reaction to the harsh blow they received from Atlético Madrid in the final match of 2024 has been fundamental to their spectacular run in the new year. In a completely different situation, they are confident of getting revenge and heading into the international break with a considerable lead in the standings, moving even closer to their 28th La Liga title.

Hansi Flick will be back with his star XI to secure the lead

FC Barcelona will visit Atlético de Madrid this Sunday with its best weapons at its disposal for a true title final. Hansi Flick's team will only be without the three players they have been without for most of the season (Ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Andreas Christensen) for a match that the squad heads into with plenty of rest following their 3-1 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal win against Benfica.

Pau Cubarsí, who is out for the rematch against the "Águilas" due to suspension, will return this Sunday, marking the biggest change for the Catalans. In this sense, the coach will have the opportunity to field what, in theory, will be his star XI for the final stretch of the season, the same one that took to the pitch at Montjuïc in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.

• ℹ️ Lineups: Possible starting XIs for FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid: SEE

The Blaugrana number 2 would be the chosen one to accompany Iñigo Martínez in the center of defense, although the presence of Ronald Araujo, who had a solid performance against Lisbon, is not ruled out. The full-backs, meanwhile, would be covered by Koundé and Balde, while De Jong, Pedri, and Olmo would make up the midfield, with Gavi waiting for his opportunity on the bench. In attack, no changes are expected.

The match will be of special attention to the Blaugrana number 6, who arrives with a yellow card for Matchday 28 of LaLiga. Therefore, if he receives another yellow card, he would miss the match against Girona, corresponding to Matchday 29 of the local championship.

• Players at risk of suspension: Gavi.

Atlético Madrid reaches its limit for the match against Barça

While the Catalans will enter the Metropolitano with all their strength, Atlético Madrid is on the limit for the match. The red-and-whites are hitting their stride after their Champions League exit against Real Madrid (1-0, 2-4 p.m.), after a long, drawn-out match that should have gone to penalties and in which they incurred significant physical exertion. As if that weren't enough, the Indians were coming off a 2-1 loss to Getafe last Sunday, so they could have their worst week of the season if they lose to the Catalans.

As if that weren't enough, the Rojiblanco side will go into the match with three players on suspension and one suspended. Koke, Julián Álvarez, and Pablo Barrios are on the verge of suspension in LaLiga Santander and will be unavailable for the next matchday if they receive a yellow card. Ángel Correa, Simeone's key substitute, will have to watch the next five matches from the stands after receiving a red card against the 'azulones' and hurling several insults at the referee.

Barça against its 'bête noire'

One of Barça's key missions will be to stop Alexander Sorloth. The Norwegian has scored at least one goal in four consecutive visits to the Camp Nou/Montjuïc, and in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, he became the player with the most goals against the Catalans in added time (3) since 2003/04, surpassing the two goals each from Fernando Torres and Jude Bellingham.

This season, the striker gave Atleti a last-gasp victory (1-2) with his goal in the 96th minute on December 21, 2024, in matchday 18 of LaLiga, and later came back to the rescue of the Colchoneros in Barcelona with another last-gasp goal to keep the Copa del Rey tie open. For this reason, the Blaugranas will have to pay special attention to the player who is beginning to establish himself as their 'black beast'.

Barça looks to strike a blow in LaLiga

Barça face a golden opportunity to take a crucial step toward their 28th LaLiga title. A victory for the Catalans against the Colchoneros is a must, not only because Real Madrid did their homework on their visit to Villarreal (1-2) and took the lead (with a game in hand), but also because it would deliver a practically lethal blow to one of their direct rivals in the championship race.

The Merengues, despite their poor footballing performance, have managed to stay afloat in LaLiga and have collected 10 points from their last 15 with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The Rojiblancos, meanwhile, are in a slump and have accumulated 8 points from 15 in their last 5 matches, with a record of 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss.

A completely opposite present to that of the Catalans (57), who hope to go into the international break at the top of the standings, just three points behind the Madridistas (60), albeit with one game in hand, and one ahead the Rojiblancos (56), with the possibility of increasing this difference to four points. The Catalans are enjoying a sweet moment and have put together a remarkable run of results since the start of the year, remaining undefeated and earning 19 points out of 21 with six wins and one draw.

Thus, the stage is set for Barça to make a statement and reaffirm their status as title favorites. Hansi Flick's team maintains an overwhelming momentum and has once again confirmed itself as the best team in the world. Therefore, they hope to maintain their excellent form and earn three points that will bring them even closer to the possibility of adding another league trophy to their trophy cabinet.

• 📌 Watch the Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona match live and find out everything - don't miss a thing!