Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid

When the 2021/22 season began, one did not know what to expect from Barcelona. The team got off to a poor start under Ronald Koeman, hovering two places off the relegation zone at one point.

As the season progressed, the team’s flaws became glaringly clear, and one feared they might miss out on Champions League football next season.

At this point, finishing in the top four is the priority for Xavi’s men. They currently sit at fifth place, just a point behind Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. On Sunday, Barcelona have the perfect opportunity to pull ahead of Los Rojiblancos as the two giants go head to head at Camp Nou.

Barça Universal looks at the three talking points ahead of the mouth-watering clash.

1. New signings galore

The winter transfer window was an eventful one for Xavi’s team. Ferran Torres and Dani Alves are relatively new to the Catalan’s setup, though both have impressed with their appearances.

Alves has been magnificent with his distribution down the right flank, though age has caught up with his defensive game. Torres, on the other hand, has already notched up a goal and an assist in the garnet-and-blue colours.

Adama Traore arrived from Wolverhampton on a six-month loan to strengthen Xavi’s options on the wing. The agile forward is expected to start against Atletico Madrid, with his dribbling being an asset the manager values highly.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the latest to join Barcelona after a hectic move on deadline day. Though he is registered with the league and can face Los Rojiblancos, the striker is not expected to start, given his long hiatus from a competitive game.

The four new additions are expected to be the X-factor that turn around Barcelona’s season. That mission starts on Sunday, for the game against Simeone’s side could prove decisive on multiple fronts.

2. A depleted opposition

A solid start to La Liga 2021/22 featuring a seven-undefeated run placed Atletico Madrid in the driver’s seat to compete for the league title. Since then, things have gone downhill for Simeone.

The visitors have lost five of their last nine games, conceding at least two goals in every defeat. Though their last league game against Valencia ended in a 3-2 win, it is worth noting that Atletico Madrid were 2-1 down even in the 89th minute.

In the Spanish Supercup, they were beaten by Athletic Club by a score of 2-1, which was followed by a 2-0 hammering by Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey.

They are alive in two competitions, including the league. However, the UCL pits them against Manchester United, who are finding their feet under new management.

Heading into the clash at Camp Nou, it would not be far-fetched to say that Atleti are in an inadequate mental space. With just three wins in six over the past month, they no longer bear the favourites tag they had a few months ago.

Moreover, the poor form of Jan Oblak is a significant concern for the visitors. On the night, one could expect a motivated Barcelona to take down their opponents.

3. A game characterised by spells of brilliance

While Barcelona have tried to exert their dominance over proceedings in recent games, their troubles of breaking down a defensive wall have persisted. Despite boasting a mammoth possession percentage, the actual output in terms of chances created has been minimal.

In fact, most of Barcelona’s goals in recent games have come from moments of individual brilliance or rare spells of flawless play amidst a dragged game.

Atletico are a side who, by philosophy, believe in maximising moments of magic. While the side does not hesitate to stand in a low defensive block, their lethal counterattacks often offer the final blow. As seen in their game against Valencia, one cannot write them off even in the penultimate minute of the game.

When the two sides meet at Camp Nou, it will be an interesting mix of styles. The game will feature spells of spirited play from both teams, with both sides getting ample chances to score.

The decisive factor will be the efficiency of the forward lines and the form of the goalkeepers. With Xavi facing probably the biggest game of his managerial career yet, it remains to be seen if he can land on his feet.