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Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid meet for the first time this season tomorrow night at their temporary home in Montjuic.
For months, there was talk of moving the game to the United States, but the deal ultimately fell through and ensured the game would take place as planned in Barcelona.
Hansi Flick and company will be delighted to have the support of the fans for tomorrow’s clash against Diego Simeone’s men as they will have a big influence on the title race.
Both teams have had contrasting campaigns so far this season. While Barcelona were on fire until October, they seem to have run out of gas of late and have seen a huge drop in form.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid have been on fire since late October and are on an 11-game winning streak since then.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona-Atlético de Madrid.
A six pointer
Much has been said about this weekend’s League match in Montjuic in recent days, and the commotion around it is justified if you take into account the consequences that the result will have.
To begin with, any match between two of the three best teams in Spain is worth watching, even more so when both teams have had a good start to the season. However, Saturday’s game has added weight if the league standings are taken into account.
After a good start to the season, Barcelona has slowed down since November and has struggled in the competition with losses and draws outnumbering its wins. As a result, they have lost their lead and have 38 points after 18 matches.
Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid have been very consistent in the league and have the same points as the Catalans, although they have played one less game.
A victory tomorrow for The Red and WhitesTherefore, it would leave them three points ahead of Barcelona with one game less, which would allow a virtual difference of six points.
However, if Barcelona win, they will move three points clear of Atlético de Madrid and ensure that the Madrid team remains on par with them even if they win their remaining game.
The margin between victory and defeat tomorrow is therefore six points and is all the more valuable considering that it will demonstrate its effect at the top of the table.
A massive injury blow
Hansi Flick and company have had bad luck in attack in recent weeks and the fatigue felt by star players such as Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha has a big part to play in it.
With a week’s rest under their belt, the Catalan attack can be expected to return fresh tomorrow, although there will be one notable absence: Lamine Yamal.
The youngster was injured in Barcelona’s match against Leganés and will be out for three to four weeks.
Yamal’s absence just before the match against MattressesNeedless to say, it does not bode well. After all, Barcelona have not fared well in his absence so far this season.
Everything indicates that Ferran Torres will be the man who will replace the full-back tonight although it remains to be seen which wing he will start on. While he will provide solutions in front of goal, what will be missed is Yamal’s chance creation.
With Golden Boy unavailable, it will be essential for Dani Olmo and Pedri to step up from midfield with creative passing. Furthermore, the pressure on Jules Kounde will increase as he will not have his usual partner to combine with on the right.
The curse of Montjuïc
The Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys has served Barcelona as a welcome home for the past year and the blaugrana It is very possible that it will remain in the same place until next season.
While it has usually boded well for the team to play in Montjuic, the last few games have not had such extra luck.
After all, Barcelona’s last two home games resulted in defeats in La Liga and it is more surprising that both defeats came against teams that were threatened by relegation at the time of the match.
Surprisingly, Flick’s men have struggled to defend their fortress in recent weeks and the fact that the only two defeats in their last seven games have come at home is worrying.
As they face Atlético Madrid at home tomorrow, there will be a sense of urgency to free themselves from that curse and return to winning ways at Montjuic. A fiery atmosphere is expected and the president has asked that fans come in large numbers.
In particular, Atlético Madrid have struggled to beat Barcelona away from home over the years and Simeone has never beaten them away from home.
Will the curse of Montjuïc or the curse of Simeone prevail tomorrow?
