Barça-Atlético, an early 'final' in Montjuïc

Published:2/12/2023 - 20:15h

Updated:2/12/2023 - 20:15h

The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Compannys will be the setting for an open 'war' between FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid in LaLiga. Both teams come to the confrontation with the same points in the standings and with a lot to prove

The FC Barcelona knows that it plays a lot in the next seven days, with the visit of the Athletic of Madrid and the one of the Girona, next Sunday. The irregularity and the own errors have 'deprived' to the Barcelona group to have a beginning alentador in LaLiga and have had to conform with adding, only, 31 points in 14 parties, of 42 possible. Andstán to four units of the leadership, shared by the Real Madrid and the picture gerundense (35), and is a lot of the pressure for the team. They are not in conditions to leave more points by the way.

The crash against the rojiblancos has a 'flavour' different because both teams arrive with the same points, although the ones of the 'Cholo' Simeone have played a clash less. The one who win, remains with the third square of the championship and the one who fail in a quite delicate situation. The requirement is maximum of face to the party that will contest this Sunday, from the 21:00 hours, in the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Compannys. It is one of the 'final' that decide a lot in the domestic championship and in which lose okay the double.

Maximum equality in the Barça-Athletic

In spite of that, historically, to the Barça has gone him very well against the Athletic, especially home, is a duel that aims to be very, very complicated. The culés have imposed , in total, in 78 opportunities against the madileños, with 52 defeats and 42 ties, only in LaLiga. In the last season, the equality was maximum, although the ones of Xavi Hernández won the two parties by the minimum (0-1 in the Cívitas Metropolitan and 1-0 in the Camp Nou). The 'colchoneros' do not win in the feudo barcelonista from 2006.

The picture of the capital of Spain has not won like visitor since, in February of 2006, carried the victory by 1-3. Since, in 14 clashes, have not been able to win. The difference and the historical registers are very important, but also is true that, once begins the party, the archive loses validity. Each clash is a new history and the Barça knows that, against a team of maximum quality, can not trust. It would be an authentic 'shot' in the foot.

In any case, in this season both groups have been very equalised, although, as we mentioned before, the Madrilenian have a pending party (in front of the Seville). They are 31 points for each one. The Barça has added nine victoriasm four ties and a defeat, whereas the ones of the 'Cholo' Simeone have won in ten opportunities, with a tie and two falls. In the section of goals, the visitors have had more effectiveness. They have added 30, by the 27 of the blaugrana, especially by Antoine Griezmann that is in state of grace.

Griezmann And Joao Félix, leading in the previous

The great French attacker nine targets and is by behind Jude Bellingham (11) in the career by the Pichichi. It is in a moment excelso of his career, further of his offensive contribution. It is the todocampista of the Athletic and the director of orchestra of the team, to the point that is the only that it can argue him the 'MVP' of the season, up to now, to the English midfield player of the Real Madrid. Griezmann Has everything to be decisive in his reunion with his exequipo.

The 'Principito' has been one of the big protagonists of the previous of the party, beside Joao Félix. And it is that, further of the sportive section -in which also it is it-, a 'dart' his has desatado the controversy in the last two days. Antoine commented that the Portuguese had not been constant in his stage in Madrid and, thus, did not triumph: "At the end when you arrive here you know more or less how it is the trainer, how is the team, and or join up you and work for this or do not go out you the things. Joao There were moments that did it very well, that worked very well, but it is necessary to be constant and the same arrived a moment where tired , no longer saw here and therefore it did the effort and the club also to leave him an exit".

The international with Portugal did not take in answering to the criticisms of his excompañero: "Well, of agreement no, he has his opinion and do not go to comment", although afterwards it aimed that "there are things that could do better. So much I like all. There are things that have not gone well. It is not fault only of one, but of several himself". Later, also 'it loaded' against the style of the Atleti: "If questions to all the players, if questions also to the players of the Athletic, surely would prefer to play more time in attack. If they do not answer this, are mintiendo".

The Barça, forced to step forward

The true is that, with controversies or no, the Barça has a very big commitment with the visit of the Athletic of Madrid. And it is that, first, have to confirm the good feelings that had left in the second half of the party against the Port wine and, second, are in the need to give a hit on the table, after several marked weeks by the irregularity of the team. The challenge is maximum, but have to be in conditions to assume it.

For the party, Xavi has two key drops: Marc-André ter Stegen, the one who continues recovering of the lumbalgia that has kept him out of action from the stop of selections, as well as a Gavi that has said him goodbye to the season after going through the operating theatre to treat a complete break of the ligament crossed previous of the right knee and an injury associated to the external meniscus.