The first big blockbuster of the 2015/16 La Liga season occurs this week, as current champions Barcelona travel to the Spanish capital, to face the 2013 league champions Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón.
Both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona currently sit level on points, each with two consecutive wins to start their respective league campaigns. Atléti will be excited to test themselves against the league champions after their impressive win away against Europa League holders Sevilla. Barca have also been sternly tested in the league, having dispatched of Athletic Bilbao and Malaga. The Catalan club will look to continue this fine run here, against a true title rival.
Key Battle – Antoine Griezmann vs Javier Mascherano
With Gerard Piqué’s suspension continuing into this encounter, Barca will rely on experienced central midfielder-turned-centre-back Javier Mascherano to prevent Antoine Griezmann from influencing the game. The Frenchman is fine form, and put in a superb performance in Atleti’s last La Liga fixture against Sevilla. Griezmann certainly looks to be the man to hoist up Diego Simeone’s side and carry them to glory this term.
Mascherano will have to be at his very best with his first choice partner out, and will hope to swiftly form a strong partnership with Pique’s replacement, the Belgian Thomas Vermaelen. The makeshift centre back duo is facing a daunting prospect in Griezmann; the Atleti attacker scored the winner against Las Palmas a fortnight ago, as well as assisting for the opener against Sevilla. With the dominant aerial threat of Jackson Martínez also posing a threat to the Barcelona back line, Mascherano will be in for a torrid time trying to contain all of these inform Atléti attackers. His calmness and leadership will be vital in ensuring Barcelona navigate Pique’s awkward suspension.
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Team news
Filipe Luís will make a return to the Atleti starting eleven – replacing Jesús Gámez – after missing out in the last league fixture due to injury. Jackson Martínez received a knock while on international duty, however he still seems to be the most likely partner for Griezmann. If Martinez isn’t fit in time, Fernando Torres is ready to replace him. Tiago is the only notable concern for Simeone, with the experienced midfielder an injury doubt. Luckily, Saúl Ñíguez is available as a replacement to partner the captain, Gabi.
Luis Enrique has a lot to ponder ahead of this crucial fixture, with first choice league goalkeeper Claudio Bravo out for few weeks, in addition to, as has been mentioned, the absent Pique. The list of injuries doesn’t stop there, with Dani Alves and Douglas also out, as well as Sergio Roberto, currently the makeshift right back, a doubt with minor fitness problems.
Atlético Madrid expected XI: Oblak (GK); Luís, Godín, Giménez, Juanfran, Koke, Gabi, Saúl, Óliver, Griezmann; Martínez
Simeone will look to rotate the side that faced Sevilla, with Torres and Gámez making way for Luís and Martínez. With the team in superb form, Simeone will prefer to retain his core players however, and will have to decide – assuming Tiago is unavailable – whether to play Koke or Saul in the centre alongside Gabi, with natural winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco to potentially feature on the left. Torres is expected to enter the fray at some point, with Martínez having completed national duty during the recent international break.
Barcelona expected XI: ter Stegan (GK); Alba, Vermaelen, Masherano, Roberto, Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitić, Neymar, Suárez; Messi
Lionel Messi and Neymar have returned unscratched from their duties with their respective national teams, which will please manager Enrique. With his forwards and midfielders seemingly choosing themselves in the starting line-up, the only question that remains is in defence, with Roberto a concern. The Barca manager does have Jérémy Mathieu available if needed.
Neymar showed during Brazil’s win over the USA that you don’t even need to touch the ball to affect a match.
Head-to-head
Enrique’s men will not fear this daunting encounter against the 2013 champions, with Barca having beaten Atléti in each of their last four fixtures. Barca is also on a superb run away from home with Enrique’s men having won 10 out of the last 11 away fixtures. Simeone’s Atléti, however, have made the Vicente Calderón a fortress, undefeated there in 36 of their last 38 home league matches.
Previous meeting
The previous meeting between the two came towards the end of the 2014-15 season, with a single goal by the brilliant Lionel Messi breaking the deadlock. Messi’s sparkling intervention gifted Barca its seventh title in the past decade, and the Argentine looks primed to affect proceedings in a similarly decisive manner this weekend.
Prediction
Simeone’s new and hungrier Atléti side have looked threatening this campaign, with the win over Sevilla particularly impressive. However, Barca have also extended their winning streak, and appear as formidable as ever. Griezmann has sustained his fine form from last season, a season that saw the Frenchman score an impressive 22 league goals. If anyone can be the difference for Atleti, it will be him. Injuries and suspensions to Barca’s backline may be the principle factor in determining the winners of this blockbuster.
Atlético Madrid 2 – Barcelona 1
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