MX23RW : Friday, January 31 03:24:10| >> :120:22444:22444:
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Attendance: 90,356
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Mar 4, 2018 at 3.15pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

1-0

Messi (26')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Team News: Philippe Coutinho, Gerard Pique restored to Barcelona XI

Team News: Coutinho, Pique restored to Barcelona XI
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Philippe Coutinho and Gerard Pique return to Barcelona's starting lineup for the crunch clash against Atletico Madrid, as Ernesto Valverde makes four changes to his side.

Philippe Coutinho and Gerard Pique have returned to Barcelona's starting lineup for this afternoon's crunch La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid.

The pair were named on the bench for the trip to Las Palmas three days ago with this top-of-the-table showdown in mind, as Barca attempt to protect their five-point advantage at the summit.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has also recalled Ivan Rakitic in midfield and Jordi Alba at full-back following his return from suspension, meaning that Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi will continue to work in tandem up top.

There is another start for Sergi Roberto on the opposite flank to Alba, meanwhile, as Nelson Semedo is expected to spend the next five weeks on the sidelines with an injury.

As far as the visitors are concerned, they are without defender Stefan Savic due to minor injury, but Lucas Hernandez is fit enough for a place among the subs.

Diego Simeone has gone with a front-two pairing of Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa, with the former aiming to build on an impressive run that has seen him net seven goals in his last two games and 15 times overall in the league this term.

Atleti boss Simeone has never previously beaten Barcelona in 12 attempts, although he did see his side claim a 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano in the reverse fixture.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Coutinho, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez
Subs: Cillessen, Paulinho, Dembele, Digne, Gomes, Paco, Vermaelen

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Luis; Saul, Thomas, Gabi, Koke; Griezmann, Costa
Subs: Werner, Correa, Gameiro, Lucas, Torres, Juanfran, Vitolo

Follow all of the action as it unfolds in Catalonia with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid21154250203049
2Atletico MadridAtletico21136235142145
3Barcelona21133559243542
4Athletic Bilbao21117331181340
5Villarreal219753932734
6Mallorca219391926-730
7Rayo Vallecano217862524129
8GironaGirona218492929028
9Real Sociedad218491717028
10Real BetisBetis217772326-328
11Osasuna216962530-527
12Sevilla217682430-627
13Celta Vigo2174103033-325
14Getafe215881717023
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2165102634-823
16Leganes215881929-1023
17AlavesAlaves2156102533-821
18Espanyol2155112033-1320
19Valencia2137112036-1616
20Real ValladolidValladolid2143141442-2815


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