Matches
Editors’ Takes: Predicting the Barcelona vs Atlético de Madrid final score
Before Barcelona host Atlético de Madrid, our editors share their predictions and players to watch from such clash
Ahead of a game that feels like a final, our editors try predicting the final score and share their player to watch of Tuesday night’s match between Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.
After a disappointing 2–2 draw away against Celta de Vigo, Barcelona need to get back to winning ways tonight at the Camp Nou. Otherwise, the La Liga trophy could be an even more unachievable goal for the blaugranas. Still, Diego Pablo Simeone’s Atlético de Madrid will by no means be easy opposition. Following four wins and a single draw, they are one of the most in-form teams in Spain since the break. Standing in third, they are ready to end Barça’s title hopes.
Ahead of such a critical encounter, our editors share their predictions, thoughts and player to keep an eye on from Tuesday afternoon’s clash between Barcelona and Atleti.
Adithya Eshwarla
Barcelona 1–0 Atlético de Madrid
Internal tension must not show on the field
The last time these two sides faced off, a certain Ernesto Valverde was shown the door after a humiliating 3–2 loss in the Spanish Super Cup. This time around, Quique Setién is on the verge of a similar fate. With the enormous pressure on his shoulders, one would bet that he would go for a safe game with experienced players getting the nod to start. The return of Sergio Busquets couldn’t come at a better time for the manager.
Diego Pablo Simeone’s men are on a four-game win streak, and in red hot form since the restart of football. The rise of Marcos Llorente, return of João Felix, Diego Costa, an in-form Saúl Ñíguez and Thomas Partey will make this a difficult hurdle. Given Cholo‘s track record, it is safe to say it will be a low scoring encounter.
Player to Watch: Jan Oblak
Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak has once again been one of the most influential players for Atlético de Madrid this season. With 14 clean sheets and just 0.7 goals conceded per game, he has single-handedly saved vital points for his club on multiple occasions. With Barcelona already struggling to create adequate chances, it will be a mammoth task to see any go past Oblak. As he usually does, expect him to step up when it matters most and terrorize the star-studded Barça attack.
Jan Oblak is a wall between the sticks | Photo by Óscar del Pozo / AFP via Getty Images
Alexander Patanian
Barcelona 1–0 Atlético de Madrid
Redemption time?
Barcelona dropped points in Vigo and seek a win at the Camp Nou to stay in the title race. Despite the morals being low in the blaugrana camp, they have to go out from the get-go for an excellent performance to win against the in-form colchoneros. To get their redemption, the culés will have to create more against a much better opponent, and defend as they did prior to the Celta de Vigo game. Also, they should play a more direct style of play, especially given Atleti’s rigid defence. In defence, they should keep playing out of the back to defend with the ball.
“The best plan is to win, as with victories all our objectives appear optimistic and positive”
Diego Pablo Simeone
on June 22 before beating Levante
Player to watch: Gerard Piqué
Barcelona kept seven clean sheets with Quique Setién as manager, and Gerard Piqué is no stranger to that form by the Catalans. The former Manchester United defender kept the defence together in Vigo, making up for his lack of pace with some fantastic placement to cover up for Samuel Umtiti’s errors. Against Atlético, Piqué has to defend against a methodic side and the in-form Marcos Llorente. Since the Liverpool Champions League clash, Llorente has been in fine form, and Piqué has to stop him. Also, if Barça fail to get a goal, Piqué’s areal qualities could help the azulgranas lead or draw.
Aaryan Parasnis
Barcelona 1–1 Atlético de Madrid
A baptism of fire
Amid a tsunami of chaos and conflict, Barcelona will welcome Atlético de Madrid to the Camp Nou. In what is easily the most stern test since La Liga’s resumption, a lot is at stake for the Catalans. The title race in recent days has slipped further away from Barça and for the sake of morale on and off the pitch, a win tonight is absolutely vital. A lot of clouds surround the future of Quique Setién’s tenure at Barcelona, but he and his side must focus on the massive task at hand to try and fight till the end.
Standing in their way, a formidable Atlético Madrid side who are in great form. The third placed side will be missing two key players in Stefan Savić and Koke Resurrección through suspension. Yet, los Colchoneros will be determined to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games.
Player to watch: Thomas Partey
Atlético’s Ghanian midfield powerhouse Thomas Partey will have a crucial part to play tonight against Barcelona’s ever dangerous front line. With Atlético sure to try and catch Barça out in transition, Partey will have to be at the top of his game. He will have to be sharp as ever to win the ball back and progress it further for his side. A lot of players will have crucial parts to play but Thomas Partey will likely be at the centre of proceedings. It will be interesting to see how he copes. A lot of potential suitors will be eyeing him and this could be one of his biggest auditions.
David Bravo
Barcelona 2–1 Atlético de Madrid
Storm at the Camp Nou
The loss of the top spot in La Liga, the 2–2 draw at Balaídos against Celta de Vigo, the controversial sale of Arthur Melo and further signing of Miralem Pjanić, the reported rupture between the dressing room and the coaching staff, the uncertain future of manager Quique Setién…All of these matters have been adding insult to injury at Barcelona’s already delicate situation on and off the pitch.
Marcos Llorente has shocked fans with his performances in an unanticipated position | Photo by AFP7 / Zuma via Imago
The pressure is extremely high as this critical clash against Atlético de Madrid feels like a final. A final for the La Liga title, as dropping more points could push Barça further away from the trophy. And a potential final for Setién, who could be sacked in case of a defeat according to numerous sources. With all this tension, the locals will need to turn all their focus on tonight’s decisive encounter and leave all the noise aside. If this is accomplished and Quique Setién remains true to his principles, a good performance and win from the Catalans could certainly be witnessed.
Player to watch: Marcos Llorente
Marcos Llorente has been reborn after the break. Not only in terms of finding his best form again, but of finding a new and unexplored position for him too. Always seen as a tenacious defensive midfielder, Diego Pablo Simeone has been playing him in a much more advanced role since the break too.
The hero at Anfield already, the former Real Madrid academy product has become a surprise for all fans since he has been operating much higher up the pitch. Even as a secondary striker at times, he has been moving between the lines and on the wing frequently. A machine at pressing and very determined when he has to attack spaces, Llorente has arguably been the most in-formed La Liga player since the return of action.
See more
• Barcelona vs Atlético de Madrid: Match preview
• Tactical analysis: a look at Barcelona rivals Atlético de Madrid
• Marc Cucurella: loan, sale, loan, sale, but only one game for Barcelona
• Comparing the contrasting dealing of transfers by Barça and Real Madrid
Poor
Good
Excellent
