Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday night. We take a look at the predicted lineup for Barcelona for the heavyweight clash.
The Catalan giants will take on Diego Simeone’s side in a significant La Liga clash on Saturday night.
Atletico Madrid are eight points behind Barcelona at 2nd position in the league, and will aim to raise pressure on Valverde’s side with a win at Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s league campaign took a minor hit earlier this weekend as they dropped points against Villarreal. In an eight-goal thriller, the points were shared between the two sides as Barcelona scored two late goals, including an injury-time equalizer from Luis Suarez.
As Lionel Messi and his men take on Atletico Madrid, they would aim at regaining the stronghold in the title race, and shift their focus on the Champions League tie against Manchester United.
Here’s the Barcelona predicted lineup for the game against Atletico Madrid:
Barcelona’s predicted lineup vs Atletico Madrid:
Goalkeeper: Marc Andre ter-Stegen
It is arguably the biggest game of Barcelona’s La Liga campaign. The selection of ter-Stegen in the match appears to be a no-brainer for Ernesto Valverde as he heads into the game.
Defence: Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba
Clement Lenglet had a bad day out against Villarreal in the mid-week game. However, we expect Valverde to keep him in the starting XI, as Samuel Umtiti made glaring errors in the game. It is to be noted, however, that the French defender didn’t play in his natural position.
Gerard Pique will partner Lenglet in the central defensive, while Sergi Roberto remains the right-back. As the Catalan side takes on Manchester United in the Champions League next week, we expect Nelson Semedo to replace Roberto at Old Trafford.
Midfield: Arthur, Busquets, Rakitic
Rakitic was on the bench alongside Lionel Messi in the game against Villarreal, so we expect him to make a comeback into the starting XI.
Arthur and Busquets have been key figures for the side in the midfield throughout the season, and are unlikely to lose their places in the lineup against Atletico Madrid.
Attack: Coutinho, Suarez, Messi
Barcelona will miss the services of Ousmane Dembele yet again, and so, we believe Phil Coutinho will get a start at the Camp Nou.
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi saved the day for Barcelona against Villarreal on Tuesday night with two late goals and will be the key in the side’s attack as they hope to secure three points.
Barcelona’s predicted lineup vs Atletico Madrid: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Arthur, Busquets, Rakitic, Coutinho, Suarez, Messi
