Atletico Madrid will host Barcelona in a heavyweight 2020-21 LaLiga showdown in the Spanish capital on Saturday evening.
Los Rojiblancos head into this weekend’s round of fixtures having yet to lose a game this season and in third spot on the LaLiga standings, three behind leaders Real Sociedad who have played two more games.
Atleti made it four wins in a row with a 4-0 thumping of Cadiz before the international break and head coach Diego Simeone is pleased with the balance of his squad as they prepare to face a familiar opponent.
“They know us, they know that beyond happiness we do not depend on what is going to happen in the game against Barcelona,” said Simeone.
“What generates enthusiasm and enthusiasm for me is what has happened since the draw against Huesca or Villarreal or the defeat in Munich.
“I see the team well, with dynamics, enthusiasm, strength, desire to do things and see how we evolve in training. There is an improvement far beyond the result versus Cadiz. We play with four midfielders who can occupy many places. I think we have a balanced squad.”
Atleti have been dealt a blow with news that Luis Suarez will miss the match versus his former employers after testing positive for Covid-19 while Hector Herrera will also be absent after sustaining a thigh injury.
Barcelona have suffered injury problems of their own with Ansu Fati to miss four months of action after undergoing surgery earlier this month.
In his absence, the spotlight will fall on Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele. The French duo made good use of their chance before the international break, both finding the back of the net in a 5-2 win over Real Betis, a game which Lionel Messi started on the bench.
“We talked to Leo, who came out of the Dynamo game with a niggle and he was not fit to play from the start,” Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman told reporters, according to Goal.
“He was on the bench in case we needed him. If he was physically OK, he would have played from the start. It is a big win for how much we needed the points and I am happy with our attacking play.”
Messi scored a brace off the bench to make sure of the result as Blaugrana climbed up to eighth, six points behind Atleti heading into this weekend’s fixtures.
A solitary goal from the Barcelona captain spearheaded the visitors to a 1-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona head-to-head statistics:
Matches played: 63
Atletico Madrid wins: 16
Barcelona wins: 31
Draws: 16
Spanish LaLiga fixtures, matchday 10:
Friday, 20 November
22:00 – Osasuna vs Huesca
Saturday, 21 November
15:00 – Levante vs Elche
17:15 – Villarreal vs Real Madrid
19:30 – Sevilla vs Celta Vigo
22:00 – Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
Sunday, 22 November
15:00 – Eibar vs Getafe
17:15 – Cadiz vs Real Sociedad
19:30 – Granada vs Real Valladolid
22:00 – Deportivo Alaves vs Valencia
Monday, 23 November
22:00 – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Betis
