Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Atletico Madrid: La Liga

The spotlight fixture of the weekend in La Liga is a conflict between the highest two groups within the standings: Barcelona welcomes Atlético Madrid to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Barcelona’s current home struggles have seen them squander a 9 level lead atop the desk. Now, equal on factors with Diego Simeone’s facet, the sport may have critical title race ramifications as Barcelona eclipses the midway level of the marketing campaign.

Simeone has achieved a lot in his time with Atlético; nevertheless, one thing that also evades him is with the ability to defeat Barcelona in La Liga at their residence stadium, a feat Los Colchoneros have not been capable of obtain since 2006.

Barcelona have only one win of their final six league video games and have misplaced their final two residence matches in opposition to groups within the backside half of the desk. They now welcome a facet that is on an 11 recreation profitable streak in all competitions. Hansi Flick’s facet should return to kind or else they’re going to relinquish the league result in finish the yr.

Lamine Yamal’s absence could have Flick pondering lengthy and arduous about his alternative. Barcelona have barely altered their beginning lineup all month and given that is the final recreation earlier than a 14 day break, Flick may be tempted to squeeze essentially the most out of his common starters to shut out the yr.

Here is how Barcelona may lineup vs. Atlético Madrid on Saturday, Dec. 21.

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GK: Iñaki Peña—Peña will probably be between the sticks searching for his first La Liga clear sheet since El Clásico in October.

RB: Jules Koundé—The France worldwide has been caught out attempting to play folks offside lately and should be extra disciplined in opposition to Atlético.

CB: Pau Cubarsí—Cubarsí will return to the lineup after making approach for Eric García final day out.

CB: Íñigo Martínez—Martínez leads all Barça gamers in minutes performed this season.

LB: Alejandro Balde—Balde’s abillity to cowl floor on the left flank is invaluable for Flick’s system.

CM: Marc Casadó—Casadó will anchor the midfield. He is in for a battle in opposition to Rodrigo de Paul.

CM: Pedri—Pedri’s been considered one of Barcelona’s finest gamers of the season and can hope to make his mark on this pivotal recreation.

RW: Raphinha—Given Yamal’s absence, Raphinha will transfer to the fitting wing trying to reduce inside to his most well-liked left foot.

AM: Dani Olmo—Olmo’s means to function and select passes in tight areas may be the important thing to unlocking a stout Atleti protection.

LW: Ferran Torres—Torres has been utilized primarily as a striker however he’ll substitute Yamal within the lineup searching for his fifth objective in as many matches.

ST: Robert Lewandowski—The Polish striker is in a funk and has missed clear probabilities lately. He’ll search for his third league objective because the begin of November.

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