It will be go time for Barcelona when they return from the international break.
Standing in their way along the path to trophies will be Atletico Madrid, the team who knocked them out of the Copa del Rey in early March after a disastrous first leg at the Metrapolitano.
The next three of four matches for the Blaugrana will be played against the Colchoneros. First, it will be a trip to Madrid to play a critical La Liga fixture. Barcelona hold just a four-point lead at the top of the table, and Atleti
on the road is perhaps the toughest remaining game on the calendar.
Then, Barcelona hill host Atletico Madrid in the first game of their Champions League quarter-final, with the return leg occurring a week later, back on Diego Simeone’s home turf.
All three of these games must be treated as finals, because frankly, the season is on the line.
The task will be even harder with Raphinha, the heart and soul of the team, sidelined for the next month.
Regardless of the circumstances, Barcelona must approach the game on Sunday like champions. Winning trophies isn’t about have your best players available at all times. It’s about having the grit and character to do whatever it takes to get a result when it matters most.
A lot will depend on the decisions that Hansi Flick makes.
In the Copa del Rey, it was a tale of two very teams. You could say the same for both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who both put on a production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde across the 180 minutes.
Atleti were absolute protagonists while playing in front of their home fans. They took full advantage of hosting the first game, and ran the Blaugrana out of the building.
We should recall that the game was also impacted by an atrocious playing surface, and a few unfavorable calls by the referee.
If I’m Flick, expect the second leg of the Champions League to be an ugly mud fight. I mean that literally.
Joan García made an uncharacteristic unforced error to open the floodgates. Tottenham’s goalkeeper Antonín Kinský then had a very similar nightmare of a game at the Metrapolitano. In summary, Atleti seems to be using their shockingly bad playing field to their advantage.
Playing pretty football may not be the winning formula. Flick will need to adopt some pragmatism, especially as the away team.
More important than that, however, is that the players recognize the opportunity that’s in front of them.
This is officially Marcus Rashford’s time to shine.
What he does now in place of Raphinha could very well determine his future at the club. The next month is his opportunity to earn a contract if that’s what he really desires.
Of course, he’ll need a team of eleven warriors and wizards beside him.
Having Pedri, and possibly Frenkie de Jong, fit and back in action will be a huge boost.
If Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde make it back in time for any of these games, it would also be a massive advantage for Flick.
Finally, this is a time for Joan García to show how good he really is. The Champions League is where keepers make a name for themselves. If he performs, he could find himself as Spain’s number one come time for the World Cup.
Barcelona has a chance to prove they’ve learned their lessons, and they’re ready to put on a show in primetime.
The world will be watching.
Which Barcelona are we likely to see?
