Atlético Madrid
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2 - 1
This match has ended. Upcoming related matches:
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Barcelona
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Statistics from the past show that Atletico Madrid have been very inconsistent in their recent league meetings against Barcelona. The Madrid side were somehow qualified enough to put 4 goals past the goal line of the Catalans on 2 occasions in the last 2 Spanish League seasons; but they also have negative memories against Barcelona related to their humiliating 6-1 and 5-2 defeats in the last 16 months.
This season, Madrid are striving to obtain a firm place at least in the first half of the league table – if they do not manage to secure a place in the Europa League for next season.
The battle is hard for them, and moreover, in addition to their plans to keep their place in all competitions this season, Atletico Madrid have to think about the health of their players – due to a busy month with domestic and European games in their schedule.
Compensating their fans for the 5-2 loss which they suffered at the Camp Nou at the beginning of this season is currently a must for them. In some ways, containing their visitors and earning a deserved, beneficial result would eventually change things around and once again restore Atletico Madrid’s control over Barcelona.
There were times when Barcelona stumbled against Atletico Madrid in La Liga, but there were also times when they really dominated their Madrid rivals; and these unforgettable moments for Barca were surely nothing but great exhibition of goals.
In fact, looking back into fresh history, it is observable that most of Barcelona’s “emphatic” wins over Atletico Madrid took place at the Estadio Camp Nou, but as for this weekend, it is a different matter altogether – as they travel to the Vicente Calderon.
Barcelona are still pretty good in away matches, winning 5-0 away to Tenerife and 3-0 away to Valladolid this year; nonetheless, it is understandable that such teams are not as treacherous as Atletico Madrid against Barca.
Whatever the case may be, the Blaugrana know very well how to organize their play on the field in accordance with their opponents’ tactics, and for instance, this characteristic could truly serve them in their encounter at the weekend.
A good formation besides the right players in the starting line-up of the Blaugrana could obviously be the perfect formula to start another party on the pitch, just like in their 4-0 victory over Sevilla a few weeks ago.
Atletico Madrid do not have the advantage in the league table. They occupy the 12th place with only 24 points out of 63 possible; but victory over Barcelona might however send them into the first half of the standings.
Barca possess the top place in La Liga with 55 points. Their 5-point lead at the top of the league could nevertheless be reduced to only 2 points if ever rivals Real Madrid were to succeed in defeating Xerez away from home on Saturday.
Just when they have to prepare for a tough match away to the Vicente Calderon, Barcelona are denied several players. Their skillful defenders Rafael Marquez and Gerard Pique were both controversially sent off last weekend against Getafe; therefore, their presence on the field on Sunday will be impossible.
Pep Guardiola sees his options even more shortened as Dani Alves and Dmytro Chygrynskiy are also ruled out with injuries. In addition, Yaya Toure and Abidal are considered unavailable for their team’s trip to Madrid this weekend.
It will then be up to Guardiola to do with what he currently has at his disposal since he will only have Carlos Puyol, Gabriel Milito, and Maxwell as his back players against Atletico Madrid.
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Barcelona – 55 points
Real Madrid – 50 points
Valencia – 42 points
Mallorca – 37 points
Sevilla – 36 points
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