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Atletico Madrid
Camp Nou
Sep 24, 2011; 20:00 GMT
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Inconsistent. That perhaps describes Barcelona’s current crop of performances. After a couple of mediocre draws against Sociedad and AC Milan, the Catalans scaled the dizzying heights of eight goals against Osasuna only to be brought down to earth by an effervescent Valencia. The upcoming match against Atletico Madrid is going to be anything but easy for the Catalans. With Radamel Falcao in devastating touch, the Rojiblancos can be expected to do what they do best – exasperate Barcelona.
Last season, the first time these two teams met, Barcelona emerged as the winner but lost Leo Messi after an abject tackle on the Argentine by Tomas Ujfalusi. Three goals and nine yellow cards were the other major events. David De Gea, now a Manchester United custodian, prevented a flurry of goals and had perhaps one of the most remarkable performances of the season. Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique scored for the Catalans on either side of a Raul Garcia-goal.
Team News and Tactical Brief
FC Barcelona
Barcelona have had players plagued with injuries and the latest to join the list is Ibrahim Afellay. The Dutchman tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Thursday’s training session and will be under the blade soon. Afellay is expected to return in another 5-6 months, technically ruling him out for the rest of the season. Iniesta and Sanchez too are recuperating from their respective injuries. In the absence of these key personnel, Barcelona are expected to start with Villa, Pedro and Messi in their respective positions. Cesc Fabregas will start and have an opportunity to equal Ibrahimovic’s record of scoring in the first five league matches in his debut season. More importantly, Barcelona will need as many players possible on the scoresheet against Atleti, who have the penchant to trouble the Catalans.
The trio of Busquets, Xavi and Cesc are sure to occupy the midfield. The defense is expected to be guarded by Puyol, Mascherano, Alves and Abidal. Guardiola’s decision to restrict Alves’ forays into the final third by the inclusion of Adriano worked for the team and this match too might need similar tactical moves by the former Barcelona midfielder to control the blistering Atletico offense.
Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Abidal; Busquets, Cesc, Xavi; Messi, Villa, Pedro
Atletico Madrid
The departure of Forlan and Aguero might have rendered them a bit blunt, but the Rojiblancos did some superb business in the transfer window and now they have perhaps one of the best squads in Spain. In Radamel Falcao, they have a proven goal scorer, who has adjusted to Spain quite seamlessly. With five goals in the last two matches, Falcao will surely give the Barcelona defense a tough time. Apart from Falcao, Atletico have also acquired the services of Arda Turan and Diego, thereby giving them one of the strongest midfields in the league. Eduardo Salvio and Adrian Lopez too have been impressive for the Madrid outfit.
Atletico dismantled Sporting Gijon in their last match with a brace from Falcao and also Santander in the previous match, when the former Porto striker bagged his first hattrick of the season. Despite the fact that it’s the Atletico offense that is hogging most of the lime-light, they certainly have a fabulous young keeper in Thibaut Courtois, 19-year old Belgian, on loan from Chelsea, and the meanest defense in the league, at least as of now. They have conceded only once. Barcelona will certainly find it hard to go past the Atletico defense comprising Soto, Miranda, Perea and Kasmirski and then Courtois. A cracking contest is surely on the cards.
Probable Starting Line-up (4-4-2): Courtois; Soto, Miranda, Kasmirski, Perea; Suarez, Thiago, Reyes, Turan; Diego, Falcao
Key Facts
- Barcelona and Atletico Madrid come into this match with a goal difference of +8 in their last two matches. The Catalans scored 10 and conceded 2, whereas the Madrid outfit scored 8 and conceded none.
- Barcelona have scored the most number of goals in the league so far – 17. Atletico have conceded the least number of goals in the league so far – 1.
TheHardTackle’s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Chances are high that when Barcelona plays, this man is the most heavily marked player and also hogs most of the limelight. This match is no exception. Currently leading the Pichichi race along with a few others, Messi has the ability to change the course of the game single-handedly and in this all-important clash against Atletico, Barca might just need that.
Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid)
Falcao did not take time to adjust to the Spanish League and looks to be determined to justify his price tag. Currently a joint Pichichi leader with Leo Messi, the former Porto striker will be a major headache for the Barcelona defense. With able assistance from the midfield, it’s expected of him to fire and take his team to a better position in the league after a not-so-desirable start to the season!
TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION
FC Barcelona 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Both teams have a delightful offense and goals will come by the truckload. However, the Camp Nou crowd, in the form of a 12th man, might just sway the results in the host’s favour. However, a contrary to the prediction should not surprise anybody as Atletico are more than capable of getting a result in their favour at the Camp Nou