With the final two La Liga games going ahead with the news of the High Court ruling the strike as illegal, Atlético Madrid host Barcelona at the Vicente Calderón on Sunday for what might be the decisive match in deciding 2014-15 season.
Atlético have drawn the last two fixtures against Athletic Bilbao and Levante, and seem to be up against an in-form Barcelona at the wrong time, who will be crowned 2014-15 La Liga Champions with a win against the home side. Atlético are also needing the three points in order to secure third spot, with Valencia three points behind occupying forth. Coming into the match, Diego Simeone’s men have been defeated in all three previous matches against Barcelona this season, however, will look to postpone the crowning of champions to the last fixture of the calendar.
Atlético will be fresh with a full week to plan and prepare for the tough fixture, unlike Barcelona, who are traveling back from a tough loss in Munich on Wednesday and will then head to Madrid on Saturday, there is potential for fatigue and a lack in planning which will favour the hosts.
Key Battle – Diego Godín vs Lionel Messi
Being two of the finest teams in La Liga and European football, there will be significant duels right round the pitch, however, there will be no more of an important battle than that between the Uruguayan and Argentinean. In a face-off between one of, if not the best centre-backs, currently against arguably the finest footballer to have played, the best parts of both sides of the game will be up against one another. With 40 La Liga goals to his name, Lionel Messi is back to playing at his best and will pose a threat all game.
If Atlético are hoping to get something out of this game, Diego Godín will have to be at his best to minimise the impact and isolate Messi. With Miranda and Juanfran busy with the likes of Neymar and Luis Suarez, who are both equally on top form, Godín is left facing the biggest task for the game. Worrying for Godín and his teammates, is the fact Messi does not enjoy playing against any side more in La Liga then Atlético, having scored 22 goals in all competitions.
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Team news
Godín is back available after his one match suspension and with no key injuries to both sides, the starting eleven’s would look to be at full strength with both teams playing for the three points. A change in defence for tactical reasons seems possible for Barcelona as the midweek encounter with Bayern Munich only a few days ago, with the taller Jérémy Mathieu a more suitable option over Javier Mascherano for the set piece specialists Atlético. Luis Suárez did not participate in training on Thursday due to hamstring problem however, it is unclear if it will keep him out of the clash on Sunday.
Diego Simeone is unlikely to change much to the side that drew 2-2 against Levante last weekend, with the only exception being Godín, who would come back into the starting eleven with his suspension over and replace José Giménez. Fernando Torres would feel disappointed after his recent scoring goal and performances of late against Barcelona, to be among the bench, however expect the forward to feature at some point.
Atlético Madrid expected XI: Oblak (GK); Siqueira, Godín, Miranda, Juanfran, Koke, Gabi, Tiago, Turan, Griezmann; Mandžukić
Luis Enrique, coming back from a midweek Champions League semi-final triumph in Munich, will also look at not changing much in his side, that with three points, will guarantee reclaiming La Liga crown ahead of the last game of the season. Claudio Bravo will return in goals, having not been beaten in over 450 minutes. Expect Mathieu to partner alongside Gerard Piqué, due to the aerial threat of Mario Mandžukić, and Suárez to start ahead of Pedro if available.
Barcelona expected XI: Bravo (GK); Alba, Mathieu, Piqué, Dani Alves, Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitić, Neymar, Suárez; Messi
Head to Head
The two sides have met 155 times with Barcelona having the edge with 68 wins to Atlético’s 50. More so, this match would be the fourth between the two this season with Barcelona having won all three.
Previous Meeting
The last meeting between the two was in the Copa del Rey Quarter-final back in January. The second-leg was at the Vicente Calderón and resulted in heated affair with Atlético receiving two players dismissed for second bookings and losing 2-3. With the previous leg being again in favour of Barcelona courtesy of late goal by Messi.
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Prediction
Whilst defensively solid as of late, Atlético showed little glimpses of concentration lapses last weekend against Levante. With Godín returning giving even more solidarity, the form however of Barcelona and particularly their star forwards looks to be unstoppable at the moment, even a daunting 90 minutes for one of the best defensive teams around. Any slip up and the trio of Messi, Neymar and Suárez will punish. Being full aware of their exploits in the Champions League during the week, Atlético will have to press Barcelona hard in order to prevent any space for their forwards and utilize having a full week to prepare compared to Barcelona’s four days and it being their third game in the space of 8 days.
Atlético Madrid 1 Barcelona 2
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