Xavi will face his biggest challenge as Barcelona manager when his side welcome champions Atletico Madrid to Camp Nou on Sunday.
Barcelona have lost just once in 10 league games under Xavi, but they are still languishing in fifth in La Liga, 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid. They’ve also been eliminated from the Champions League and Copa del Rey and lost in the Super Cup to cap off a tumultuous few months for the Spanish giants.
But Xavi will be buoyed by the fact that the Catalans have lost just once in their last 22 home matches against Atletico in all competitions.
Diego Simeone’s side have fallen off a cliff since their league triumph last season. They’ve been uncharacteristically shaky at the back and have shipped 26 goals this season already, one more than their tally in 2020-21. That’s been one of the primary reasons for their dismal title defence as they trail rivals Real by 14 points.
The last time these two sides met in the league, Thomas Lemar and Luis Suarez fired Atletico to a 2-0 win.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Team News
Barcelona
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available after arriving on a free transfer from Arsenal. But the Gabon international has not played since early December and is unlikely to start.
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Adama Traore is also pushing for a start after completing his loan move from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde are sidelined due to injury, while Memphis Depay is a doubt.
Atletico Madrid
With Marcos Llorente unlikely to feature due to injury, new signing Daniel Wass could start at right-back. Luis Suarez might drop to the bench, considering his exploits on international duty, while Antoine Griezmann is out due to a thigh injury.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineups
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Alba, Piqué, Araújo, Alves; Pedri, Busquets, F De Jong; Traore, L De Jong, Torres
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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 4, 2022
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Hermoso, Savic, Gimenez, Wass; De Paul, Koke, Carrasco, Lemar; Felix, Correa
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Key Players
Barcelona – Frenkie De Jong
The Netherlands international has developed into one of the finest midfielders in the world the past few seasons. De Jong will be tasked with driving Barcelona forward and unlocking Atletico’s defence with crisp passes and clever through balls.
Atletico Madrid – Angel Correa
With Suarez and Griezmann unlikely to feature, the goalscoring burden will fall on the shoulders of Correa. The Argentinian is Atletico’s top scorer this season with eight league goals.
Score prediction: Barcelona 0-1 Atletico Madrid
