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The WHO: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona
What: Spanish Laliga
Where: Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
When: Sunday from 21:00 (20:00 GMT)
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Atletico Madrid does not have much time to hold on to his painful exit from the Champions League against Real Madrid.
Another decisive game awaits Sunday, this time against Barcelona in the narrow battle for the Spanish League title.
Al Jazeera looks forward to one of the biggest games in the Spanish football calendar:
How are Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Laliga?
Atletico is a point behind Barcelona in the second and four points behind the Madrid leaders in the Tripartite trophy wrestling.
Real have played two more games from Barca and one more than Atletico.
So Diego Simeone's team can hardly afford to lose on Sunday, but he has to quickly overcome another painful Beat from their fierce rival of Crosstown in the Champions League on Wednesday.
What happened in Atletico derby in the Madrid Champions League?
Atletico lost in a penalty shootout to do after Julian Alvarez's kick was banned for a double touch. Only a video review noticed the first contact when Alvarez's maintenance slid and pressed the ball gently before hitting it with his other leg and sent it to the net.
“Honestly, it's not easy to overcome the way we lost this tie. We can't lie, ”Simeone said after the match.
Where can the match be won on Sunday?
Simeone admitted that Barcelona could have an advantage both physically and emotionally after Hancy Flick's country received an extra day to rest after winning Benfica on Tuesday to move to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
“We are confronted with a great rival on Sunday. I imagine that the Barcelona players wanted our game to last as long as it could have been punished, “Simeone said. “We will arrive tired and beaten after we fought hard in a draw that asked us to give it our best, but we will throw everything left in Barcelona.
🤩 Incredible memories of our last Laliga game against FC Barcelona pic.twitter.com/ztlaccn3bl
– Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 15, 2025
How recently rivalry got out?
Atletico confused Barcelona twice this season. Late goals by Alexander Sorlot grabbed a 2-1 win in Barcelona in the league and 4-4 withdrawals In the opening leg of their semifinals, Del Ray Copy.
But Barcelona remained unbeaten in 17, made the games in all competitions after this loss to Atletico at the end of December.
Atletico will also host Barcelona next month to decide his Copa del Ray semi -final.
What is it like to take Barcelona in the match?
Flick warned his stars in Barcelona that they need to focus in order not to break up against Atletico Madrid, as well as in his previous two meetings this season.
“We have really two great games and, of course, we have to be focused from the beginning to the end of the match,” Flick told reporters on Saturday.
“In the first game, at the end of the match, we were not as focused as we could be, and also the second match was (the same) at the beginning, and also at the end, so we have to take care of it.
“When you make mistakes, Atletico can hurt you and we have to protect it.”
No weekends 💪 #Athletaric pic.twitter.com/iuqrv2qrwk
– FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona) March 15, 2025
How will Flick solve Olmo-Gavi's headache?
At first glance, Danny Olmo is ahead of Gavi in the sprouting order for the attacking place of the midfielder for Barca.
The defender of Gavi and Barca Alejandro Balde were not included in the team of Spain, who will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the National League next week, but Barca coach welcomes both players.
“(Gavi) has come from a huge injury and he is 20 years old, and now he is, in my opinion, not the first (choice) … A more difficult situation, but he is doing great,” Flick said.
“We are doing really well in the midfielder. I am happy to be here and I think he will play many, many years for this amazing club and will be one of the superstars here.
“He can improve a lot. He will do this. His attitude is incredibly good. He is really focused and really happy to be here.
“I think for the 2026 World Cup. He will be there and be able to play, 100 percent.”
Happy Gavi. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/eh0tos7uhi
– Laliga English (@Laligaen) March 14, 2025
Flick added that Balde was one of the best left backs in the world and also praised the center of the veteran in Inigo Martinez, who was summoned to Spain by national team coach Luis de la Fuente.
“With his attitude and mentality, he is incredibly good for every team,” Flick said.
Atletico Madrid Forms Guide:
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Barcelona Form Guide:
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Atletico Madrid Team News
Angel Correa was stopped for the match after its red card at 2-1 to getafe last weekend.
Koke remains a doubt of knocking while Rodrigo de Paul is ready to miss.
Barcelona's News News
Mark Bernal and Mark-Andre Ter Stegen are still long-term absences with knee injuries, but Andreas Christensen is again in training with the team.
Atletico Madrid's likely initial composition:
Yang Cloud; Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez, Clement Lenglet, Reinildo; Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo de Paul, Pablo Barrios, Konor Gallagher; Antoine Griezman, Julian Alvarez
Possible Barcelona initial composition:
Wojciech szczesny; Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde; Freakie de Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphainha; Robert Lewandowski
