MX23RW : Sunday, September 29 16:41:20| >> :120:9367:9367:
[monks data]
Atletico Madrid logo
La Liga | Gameweek 8
Oct 2, 2021 at 8pm UK
Vicente Calderon Stadium
Barcelona logo

Atletico
2 - 0
Barcelona

Lemar (23'), Suarez (44')
De Paul (45+1'), Koke (78')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Gavi (20')

How Barcelona could line up against Atletico Madrid

How Barcelona could line up against Atletico Madrid
© Reuters
Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Saturday's La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman will again be missing some key players for Saturday night's La Liga contest with Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano.

Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero, Pedri and Martin Braithwaite will definitely miss the match, while Alejandro Balde is unavailable due to an ongoing back problem, but Jordi Alba has returned to the squad.

There will be changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Benfica in the Champions League, and it would not be a surprise to see the Catalan outfit revert to a four-man defence, potentially matching up to Atletico.

Gerard Pique was substituted in the first half of the game against Benfica, but it was a tactical decision rather than an enforced alteration, and the Spaniard should be in the XI for this game.

Sergino Dest and fit-again Alba are likely to operate in the full-back areas, while a strong midfield could include Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto, with Pedri absent due to a thigh issue.

It will be fascinating to see what Koeman has in mind for the attacking positions; Memphis Depay is a certain starter, but the other two positions are open.

Ansu Fati is not expected to be considered for a start, having only just returned from a long-term knee problem, so there could be an opportunity in the final third of the field for Philippe Coutinho.

Koeman has also favoured playing with a centre-forward this season, and it would therefore not be a surprise to see Luuk de Jong again feature at the tip of the attack.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Dest, Pique, Araujo, Alba; F de Jong, Busquets, Roberto; Memphis, L de Jong, Coutinho

> Click here to see how Atletico could line up for this clash

ID:466130:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3716:No Data Analysis info
Game History

How you voted: Atletico vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid
62.8%
Draw
21.3%
Barcelona
15.9%
258
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona attacker Pedri pictured in February 2021
Read Next:
Barcelona handed Pedri, Alba fitness boosts ahead of Benfica tie
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Rams
@
Bears
6pm
Eagles
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Steelers
@
Colts
6pm
Saints
@
Falcons
6pm
Broncos
@
Jets
6pm
Vikings
@
Packers
6pm
Bengals
@
Panthers
6pm
Jags
@
Texans
9.05pm
Patriots
@
49ers
9.05pm
Washington
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Browns
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona87012591621
2Real Madrid75201651117
3Atletico MadridAtletico7430113815
4Athletic Bilbao8422128414
5Mallorca842286214
6Villarreal74211414014
7Osasuna84221213-114
8Rayo Vallecano824298110
9Celta Vigo83141515010
10AlavesAlaves83141112-110
11Real BetisBetis72327709
12GironaGirona8233911-29
13Sevilla8233810-29
14Real Sociedad822467-18
15Getafe814356-17
16Espanyol7214711-47
17Leganes814359-47
18Valencia8125513-85
19Real ValladolidValladolid8125417-135
20Las PalmasLas Palmas7034813-53


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!