Barcelona look to go into the final international break of the season with a statement win in the bag as the La Liga leaders travel to the capital for a monster top of the table clash against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle:
Defense
Barça are expecting to have an almost fully healthy and fit squad after the break if there are no issues during the international window, and they will also have Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen
in the squad for Sunday.
But the two defenders have not trained long enough to be ready to start, so we expect the same back four in front of Joan Garcia that kept a clean sheet against Aston Villa: Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín at center-back, João Cancelo at left-back, and Brian Fariñas, who continues to impress since getting his first opportunity last weekend, starting at right-back.
Midfield
Barça will be without Rodri with a minor hamstring issue and there’s a real doubt about who will Flick choose to partner Pedri and Fermín López.
Marc Bernal had a strong substitute cameo as Rodri’s replacement in midweek and has been Flick’s first backup choice to the Spain captain so far this season, but Frenkie de Jong is back to 100% and ready to step back into his favorite midfield role.
We think Flick will go with the Dutchman for this one, which will likely cause a slight change of formation with a double pivot of Frenkie and Pedri and Fermín as the number 10.
Attack
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha shined against Villa and will be looking for another big night against Atlético’s tough defense, and we think Flick will once again trust Anthony Gordon ahead of Karim Adeyemi for this one.
Possible XI: Joan; Fariñas, Cubarsí, Martín, Cancelo; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Gordon; Raphinha (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Atlético Madrid? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
