'Final' against Atlético! Barça is 'playing' for 2nd place in LaLiga at the Metropolitano

The FC Barcelona has a challenge by in front very big, probably the most important in what it goes of LaLiga. On the table is the possibility that they leave to the stop of selections in the second position to remain like only perseguidor of the Real Madrid. They will not be able to recortar distances with the leadership, but yes surpass to a Girona that has signed his fourth defeat followed like visitor and 'complicate' more than ever his participation in the Supercopa of Spain.

The culés have a point less than the Girona (62 vs 61) and face the visit to the Cívitas Metropolitan as if it treated of a final. They are conscious that it can be one of the last 'bullets' to keep alive in the fight by the title, place has remained clear that the White House will not go down the rhythm and will lose very few points in the last nine days that remain of League. If the Barça wants to contest them the tírulo, will have to win all his clashes.

It is thus that the crash against the Athletic of Madrid is not little thing. They visit him this Sunday from the 21:00 hours (9:00 PM CET) with the need to win and give continuity to the good feelings. The Barça arrives with positive spirits after the achievement of the ticket to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time from the 2019/2020. They imposed in front of the Naples with the youngsters Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí like maximum leaders of the team.

Vital duel for the Barça in LaLiga

It is a very big step for a Barcelona group that needed this victory to take a step forward and leave backwards the ghosts that have pursued him in the last years. It results vital to give continuity to the 'joy' against an Athletic that also has surpassed the phase and that knows that, if it does not win, could see peligrar the fourth square of LaLiga. The Athletic of Ernesto Valverde is still in a good rhythm and keep the aim to go back to the maximum European competition, by what the challenge is maximum for them, also.

The last four clashes between Barça and Athletic have finished in victory for the Catalans. Precisely, since Xavi Hernández assumed the reins of the bench culé, in November of 2021, have imposed in all the duels: 4-2 in the 2021/2022, 0-1 and 1-0 in the past season and the adjusted 1-0 of the crash of the first turn thanks to a goal of Joao Félix in the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Compannys to do cost the law of the ex. The aim is to give continuity to the series.

The Catalans do not fall in the Metropolitan from October of 2021, with Ronald Koeman in the bench, the night in Luis Suárez 'laughed' of the Barcelona picture and sent a 'recado' to the Dutch trainer. They will have to sign a perfect party, taking in account that the Athletic still has not lost like venue. Although they have showed a very irregular version in what it goes of campaign and that only have won two of his last five presentations, in the Metropolitan always are stronger.

The Barça, to be followed his positive series

This statistics no 'help' to the Barça, but does not be necessary to overlook that the Catalans have not lost, to date, when they have played to domicile. Sorpresivamente, have been stronger and conclusive when they have been far of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Compannys, although in the two last presentations out of house have suffered more than the account: 0-0 vs Athletic and 1-2 in front of the RC Celtic with a goal of penalti in the last minute of Robert Lewandowski.

For the occasion, Xavi Hernández recovers so much to Marcos Alonso like Ferran Torres, but keeps two sensitive drops: Frenkie of Jong, that suffers sprain in the external lateral ligament of the right ankle, and a Pedri González that suffers an injury in the rectum femoral of the right thigh. The Barça has found the formula to relieve them and so much Raphinha like Fermín López have been able to add creativity in the centre of the field, accompanying to Christensen and Gündogan. Sergi Roberto, key against the Naples, part like a big alternative from the bench.

Maximum expectation in the previous of the Athletic-Barça

Joao Félix is the piece more 'controversial' of the duel of this Sunday. It returns to a Cívitas Metropolitan that, days before it confirmed his cession to the Barça, went duramente pitado by the fans rojiblancos by 'lacking' of commitment. Xavi Hernández said in this regard that "it is a custom-made party for the big players, to show personality. Joao Did a grandísimo split in the first turn, tomorrow has to be important he and all. It is a stage in which we need the best expensive of all to win the three points".

The own player has left clear that motivate him split like this: "Have clear that goes to be a very complicated environment for all the team. Against me, it goes to be a bit worse but am player of football and have to be accustomed to this. It motivates me more, like me these important and spicy parties, there is an extra motivation", although the one who has not wanted to speak is the 'Cholo' Simeone: "I Am very respectful for the footballers of other teams, do not think of any and this will not be exception. We think in recovering to ours after the effort in a beautiful party and from this effort expect to do a big party".

Technical index card of the party: Athletic of Madrid vs FC Barcelona

• Party: Athletic of Madrid vs FC Barcelona
• Competition: LaLiga EA Sports 2023/2024
• Stadium: Cívitas Metropolitan (Madrid)
• Television: Sunday, 17 of of March of 2024 from the 21:00 hours (9:00 PM CET)
• Calendar 2023-2024: LaLiga and Champions League.