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Atlético Madrid - Barcelona team news ahead of LaLiga match day 29 game
Here is the latest injury news ahead of the huge, potentially title-deciding, clash in LaLiga.
Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona face each other (Sun 17 March 4 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. PT.) in one of the most important games left in LaLiga. The clash at the Metropolitano has many points of interest, with the two sides still fighting in Europe as well as domestically.
At stake, for Atlético, will be to squeeze into the Champions League places. Barcelona, meanwhile, will be looking to get past Girona and reach that second place spot which would allow them to play the next edition of the Super Cup.
Atlético Madrid & Barcelona team news
Starting with Cholo’s side, the defence is the part of the pitch where the most changes are expected with a different lineup expected to that in the Champions League against Inter. On the right flank, Nahuel could give up his place to Marcos Llorente. In the middle of the defence Paulista could come in place of Savic and Reinildo may take up the left centre back position in place of Hermoso, who is injured.
In midfield, Barrios may take Llorente’s place and this is where the question marks begin. Simeone revealed yesterday that Griezmann was still a doubt: he is set to talk to him today to see how he feels before making the final decision. If the Frenchman is not in the starting line-up, his place would probably be taken by Memphis Depay, who put in a great performance against Inter.
Atlético Madrid predicted lineup [5-3-2]:
GK: Oblak
DEF: Lino - Reinildo - Witsel - Savic - Llorente
MID: Barrios - Koke - De Paul
ATT: Griezmann/Memphis - Morata
Barcelona predicted XI [4-3-3]:
GK: Ter Stegen
DEF: Sergi Roberto - Cubarsí - Araújo - Koundé
MID: Gündogan - Christensen - Fermín
ATT: Lamine Yamal - Lewandowski - Raphinha
On the azulgrana side of the question, only one change is expected from Xavi with respect to the eleven that lined up against Napoli in the second leg of the Champions. The entire starting lineup should be the same except Cancelo, who has dropped out of the squad list due to injury. His place at left-back will probably be taken by Sergi Roberto, with the option of Héctor Fort.
Special attention will be paid to Pau Cubarsí, who after his great performance against Osimhen will have a new challenge with a totally different type of striker, whether Griezmann or Memphis plays. Fermín will also be in the starting lineup and is gradually winning his place in the team, like Lamine Yamal, already undroppable on the right wing. Xavi does have Marcos Alonso back but not Ferran, who will have to wait until after the break to be available again.