Barcelona - Atlético Madrid summary: João Félix, score, stats & updates | LaLiga EA Sports
Barcelona - Atlético Madrid: as it happened
Full-time thoughts:
What a fantastic game from both sides at Montjuïc.
Barcelona completely dominated the first half and pressed Atlético so much the colours ran out of their shirts. They created chance after chance and Lewandowski could have had a brace within ten minutes as Atleti failed to string two passes together.
João Félix was the player who gave the home side the advantage on the scoreboard among the many chances they had to go ahead against their opponents, who could not get going.
Things changed in the second half, with Simeone's substitutes playing an important role in turning the tide.
The away side pressed high and began to cause Barcelona problems. As Xavi's side tired, the pressure grew and by the end, Atleti were perhaps unlucky not to score.
Their biggest chance came from Memphis, who saw his delightful free-kick saved onto the post by Iñaki Peña, the unlikely hero by the end of the night.
João Félix will no doubt take the headlines for obvious getting-one-back-over-your-ex reasons, but I thought that Pedri and De Paul - the latter especially in the second half - were superb all night.
That's all, folks!
Let's leave it there. Thanks for following the coverage of the fantastically entertaining tie between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid!
Joe
How Barcelona beat Atlético:
Here's my immediate post-match reaction to Barcelona's win over Atlético Madrid in LaLiga.
João Félix post-game:
It's an important win, we knew how hard it would be. And we got the 3 points, which was important.
It's just been another week for me, not to sound arrogant or anything but every week someone's talking about me. I'm just calm and I try to get on with my job without thinking about it. I try to get better every day and enjoy myself. I'm very grateful.
The celebration was a relief for everything I went through last summer, only those close to me know what it was like. It was a relief for my family as well.
I get on well with all the [Atlético] players and hope it goes well for them. I've spent more time with them than with my family, I hope they do well, just not against us!
I didn't believe it at first [that the fans sang my name]. It's a great club and they don't do that to everyone.
Pedri post-game:
It was a tough game, we have to celebrate it.
I'm still not 100%, I have a little to go, but I'm happy for the win.
Atleti are an intense team and we had to equal them, we did that at the start. It's normal for them to come back into it towards the end.
Yes, João Félix is happy here. Hopefully he stays for all the time he can.
The next game [against Girona] will be a beautiful game for us and the fans.
FULL-TIME!!!
João Félix's goal gives Barcelona a huge win against Atlético Madrid!
The long ball from Oblak landed at Correa's feet in the box and the forward smashed a shot at goal that somehow Peña managed to keep out!
IÑAKI PEÑA WITH A HUGE SAVE!!!!!
De Jong is booked for a late, late challenge on Memphis.
Memphis is played through and slices at the ball inside the box in a crazy moment that also sees the referee wave away Samu Lino's shout for a penalty!
Barcelona win a precious corner as the fourth official reveals we will have 4 added minutes.
30 seconds left of normal time.
Fermín López ON
Pedri OFF
Barcelona have 11 players back and looked dead on their feet. The press isn't working and they don't have the legs to counter.
João Cancelo gives away a silly free-kick after he pushes Correa away during a counter attack. Atleti will swing this in from the right.
Lewandowskibreaks against two defenders and he watches the 1vs1 situation open up as Hermoso slides by. Pedri is racing in and is alone in the box but the striker wants to go all alone and instead aims at goal but his shot is dragged wide!
WHAT A CHANCE MISSED BY LEWANDOWSKI!
It's backs against the wall for the blaugrana, who have resulted to hoofing away anything they can get a toe on.
Nothing given! De Jong's arm was against his body. Correct decision.
Griezmann thunders the ball into the wall.
The free-kick is slightly more central than the one, erm, 30 seconds ago.
Xavi is booked for being a naughty boy.
Lino is brought down on the edge of the box by a very, very, very lucky Ronald Araujo, who probably deserves a second yellow.
Memphis' free-kick was stunning and flying right into the top corner - until Iñaki Peña got a huge hand on the ball and pushed it onto the post!
IÑAKI PEÑA SAVES ONTO THE BAR
OFF THE BAR!!!!
De Paul and Memphis are over the ball as the tension levels rise...
Araujo is booked for arguing with the referee after he blew for a foul on Samu Lino on the edge of Barcelona's box. This is a great chance for the away side.
Ouch. Ferran is booked - and he's lucky! The player went in strong from behind on Correa, who is OK.
Ferrran & Lamine Yamal ON
Raphinha & João Félix OFF
Mario Hermoso clears Jules Koundé's terrible cross from the right, but it was a golden position for the defender to do damage.
Atlético counter and Griezmann plays square to De Paul in a 2vs1, but the linesman (correctly) calls for offisde.
Tiredness is playing a huge factor as we move into the final 15.
Atleti have Barcelona pressed into their defensive third and are well on top - they are just yet to find the final ball for the killer touch.
Correa can't control a dropping ball from one side of Barça's box to the other and a dangerous move breaks down for Cholo's side, who have turned into a new team this half.
The more the clock ticks on, the more dangerous the 1-0 scoreline looks for Xavi.
The home side are stretching the pitch as much as they can in an attempt to force Atlético to run and chase as much as possible, tiring them out.
Barcelona break with Raphinha on the right and the ball ends with Pedri on the box, who sees his shot deflected.
Role reversal as things stand, with Barcelona currently holding onto the ball in order to take the sting out of Atlético's constant attacking. They try to switch the play but the opposition press is too much and they eventually see the ball go out of play after finding themselves unable to cope.
Memphis is eventually penalised for a shirt pull on Ronald Araujo and the move breaks down.
It's Atlético now who have Barcelona pinned back...
Memphis & Saúl ON
Morata & Koke OFF
Pedri goes in late on De Paul and play is pulled back, with the Spaniard avoiding a card.
Memphis is getting ready to come on for Atlético.
It's a real reunion party at Montjuïc tonight. Next thing you know David Villa is going to turn up next alongside Arda Turan.
The Spaniard can't react quick enough to get on the end of a spilled cross between Araujo and Iñaki Peña and he watches the ball dribble agonisingly out of play!
MORATA MISSES FROM CLOSE RANGE!
Atleti attack, with De Paul at the centre of things once again. The ball is fired in from the left and lands with João Félix on the right after missing all the bodies in red shirts. César Azpilicueta follows up and 'fouls' the Portuguese, who goes down like a dying swan.
Half an hour to go... can we have extra time as well?
Atlético counter and a delightful pass is played behind the Barcelona defence by De Paul towards Griezmann on the left. The Frenchman takes a touch into the box and cracks a fireball into the side of Iñaki Peña's goal!
GRIEZMANN INTO THE SIDE NETTING
Raphinha makes a run inside from the right and plays to Pedri, who gives it straight back. The shot comes in from the edge of the box and smashes low off the far post!
RAPHINHA OFF THE POST
João Félix falls over in the same vague area as César Azpilicueta and the Portuguese wants a yellow for the defender. Instead, the referee would be perfectly within his rights to give the Barça player a yellow for diving. Lucky boy.
The confidence Barcelona are showing is enviable: the two Joãos combine superbly well down the left and the full-back plays a dangerous cross in from the byline that Lino clears away.
The home side come again with a flowing move that causes the stripes to swirl on the away side's shirts. If you could measure intensity levels for real, they'd be at about 1,000 right now. And that's a lot.
Atlético are pressing Barça well, but Pedri skips past a few challenges in delightful fashion before racing all the way down the left. The away side screech back to defend and launch their own attack. The crazy is back.
The card has not been in the referees pocket since the second half started: João Félix gets a booking for a foul on Correa after finally saying enough is enough.
After a quick check and a few frowns from the bench, João Félix gets up and will continue.
João Félix is down and the club doctors are on as the player looks to have hurt his knee in that challenge...
Well, if Giménez was taken off for getting a booking, Cholo won't be happy with César Azpilicueta, who has just been booked for an incredibly late challenge on Félix.
Second half underway!
Atlético kick-off and immediately attack; Iñaki Peña sweeps up.
Azpilicueta, Correa & Lino ON
Molina, Riquelme & Giménez OFF
César Azpilicueta, Ángel Correa and Samuel Lino were all intensely warming up at half-time... let's see if we get a triple change from Cholo!
João Félix is the man of the moment:
The Portuguese attacker's role at Barça has been growing over recent weeks, with it all seeming to lead towards tonight. Safe to say he hasn't disappointed!
Half-time thoughts:
Atlético Madrid have been fully outclassed in the first half of the game, with Barcelona unlucky to be only one goal ahead.
The home side's press has been as fantastic as Atlético have been slow to react, with Barcelona putting together slick passing moves all across the pitch when in possession.
Diego Simeone has a huge team talk ahead of him as he looks to solve the myriad of problems that the opposition have caused them; Xavi, on the other hand, will want more of the same with a little more conviction when it comes to popping the ball in the back of the net.
Half-time!
Barcelona are ahead at the break thanks to the evil super villain, João Félix.
Into the final minute of the half...
Atlético Madrid defend a few crosses and Lewandowski heads over; the away side are losing individual battles left, right and centre, and the blaugrana are certainly taking advantage of that.
3 added minutes.
We're back underway and João Félix, who wanted a penalty for his troubles, has made a miraculous recovery.
The move was stunning from Barcelona but Atlético were at sixes and sevens as the home side tore through them once again. Gundogan's cut back was met by Félix who sent the ball low and towards goal, but Oblak was there to save the day for his side.
João Félix is down holding his ankle...
WHAT A SAVE FROM OBLAK
A vital interception comes in from Witsel on Lewandowski as the Pole looks to be through on his own.
De Paul's pass was poor and allowed Gundoganto collectand instantly chip over the top towards the striker, who didn't have the pace to burn away from his marker.
The away side have certainly stepped things up a notch over the last 5/10 minutes and their press in the middle third is a lot sharper, causing Barcelona to think twice before they carry out their tight passing game.
Koke is booked for a foul on Raphinha as Barcelona break from a Griemzann corner. Simeone's not a happy bunny rabbit about it and Señor Sánchez Martínez has a quiet word with the coach that he could indeed be next.
Atlético are creeping back into this game, perhaps...
It's a fantastic attack from Atlético that starts with De Paul driving from deep. He plays forward to Morata who sets Molina going down the right wing. The ball is played across goal to the French forward but Koundé's block is excellent and all Atleti get is a corner.
GRIEZMANN GOES CLOSE!
Witsel is booked for a late foul on the goalscorer.
A good chance for Atleti, who worked the ball well out to the left with Morata. Hermoso took a touch and sliced a shot across Iñaki Peña's goal that was always spinning away.
MARIO HERMOSO GOES CLOSE!
Frustration creeps in for the away side as José María Giménez is booked for a knee into the back of Lewandowski.
Back underway...
Raphinha drives through the middle and opens the play out on the left, where João Félix gets the better of Molina and takes the ball into the box before chipping over Oblak, who had rushed out in a last-gasp effort to save his side.
GUESS WHO??
JOÃO FÉLIX!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL
BARCELONA GO AHEAD
João Félix, as he has done a few times already, takes one touch too many and is brought down. Barça wants a free-kick but it's Axel Witsel who has come off worse.
De Paul does well against Koundé to recover inside his own box but his pass out of the defensive third is rushed and flies out of play.
A perfect example of the feeling running through the red and white shirts this evening. They're not comfortable as things stand...
Atlético are trying to keep hold of the ball and take some of the sting out of the game, but Barcelona's press is causing all sorts of issues at the back.
Lewandowski could have a hat full...
He's already had over 1 goal worth of xG in chances so far!
Atleti defend a series of Barcelona crosses well, as you might expect. Xavi, despite his team clearly dominating now, is apoplectic with rage on the touchline.
Barcelona have Atleti's block crushed and moulded into their defensive third as the home side ping the ball from left to right and back again.
The cross is caressed into Barcelona's box and it's Ronald Araujo who leaps to defend the attack.
Griezmann is stood over the ball, looking at his teammates as though they are a mathematical equation that can solve the mystery of the universe.
Atlético Madrid win a free-kick on the right side of the pitch, close to the box. João Félix stood on Molina's foot as the pair went for a loose ball.
The straight ball over the top from the middle third almost finds Raphinha, whose header spins just wide of Oblak's goal.
RAPHINHA HEADS WIDE!
Koundé piles down the right and plays a stunning cross for the striker who jumps like a Dragonball Z character, goes for a spectacular volley and watches it whirl just wide of the near post!
WHAT A CHANCE FOR LEWANDOWSKI
Atlético attack with Griezmann down the left and the ball ends up in the hands of Iñaki Peña after good positioning from Christensen gives the Frenchman no other option.
A tennis game doesn't describe what I'm seeing here: this is pinball meets Super Mario Smash Bros. It's chaos!
An absolutely bonkers opening to the game. Pedri has just seen a shot deflected over the bar and Atleti attack on the counter...
It goes out for a goal-kick and De Jong receives from Iñaki Peña before driving forward and restarting a Barcelona attack.
The Pole was all on his own and just a few yards out as Raphinha's cross came in, but he mistimed the jump and the ball cannoned off his face and out of play.
That was a huge chance to score, as Atlético were completely caught off-guard by the early cross from the Brazilian.
LEWANDOWSKI HEADS WIDE!
Wow, Atlético put together a fantastic passingmove that breaks down the right side of the pitch; Molina gets all the way into the box, plays a delightful pass to De Paul who gives it straight back and the shot was cleared away by Araujo at the last second!
Araujo clears off the line!!!
Atlético can't cope with the press!
This time it's Koke who gives it away on the edge of the box. Félix slides through to Lewandowski but fortunately for the away side, Hermoso gets a foot in as the shot flies towards goal.
ANOTHER FOR BARÇA!
Barcelona pressed Atleti and won the ball back high up the pitch on the right. A swift one-two between Pedri and Raphinha left the Brazilian one vs one with Oblak, but his shot was wayward and screeched across goal.
HUGE CHANCE FOR BARCELONA
OK, so it's Koundé on the right of the defence with Araujo next to Christensen.
And we're off!
Barcelona get us going from left to right.
Here come the teams!
The 22 players have stepped out of the tunnel and onto the pitch!
LATE CHANGE FOR BARÇA
Barcelona have announced that Christensen will replace Iñigo Martínez in the starting XI.
We're almost ready to go!
The players are leaving the dressing rooms and their studs are clacking down the tunnel as the clock counts down!
In case you're wondering, Thunderstruck by AC/DC is booming out of the speakers at Montjuïc.
Ten to go!
Grab your snack and drink of choice and get ready for what is set to be a whopper of a game!
The players are down the tunnel for the final team talks!
Griezmann vs João Félix pre-game:
Antoine Griezmann and João Félix have been indirectly sending messages to each other in the build-up to this game, with a huge helping hand from some saucy press questions. Here's what they had to say about each other:
Griezmann: In the end, when you arrive here you know more or less what the coach is like, what the team is like, and either you adapt and work for it or things don’t work out for you. There were times when João did very well, he worked very well, but you have to be consistent and maybe there came a time when he got tired, he didn’t see himself here and that’s why he made the effort and the club also made the effort to give him a way out,
João's response: I don’t agree, he has his opinion and I’m not going to comment on it. There are things I could have done better, both myself and everyone else. There are things that didn’t go well but it’s not just the fault of one person, but of several.
Fermín López to Spanish TV:
It's going to be an important game against a direct rival, They're in a good place but after the Porto win, so are we. We want the three points.
I try to keep an eye on everyone to learn in training, but most of all the midfielders: Pedri, Gundogan, De Jong.
At the start I was nervous, but now I'm getting used to it and I try to focus on the game and do what the manager asks of me.
A reminder of the starting XIs:
BARCELONA [4-3-3]:
GK: Iñaki Peña
DEF: Araujo - Kounde - Iñigo - Cancelo
MID: De Jong - Gundogan - Pedri
ATT: Raphinha - Lewandowski - João Félix
***
ATLÉTICO MADRID [5-3-2]:
GK: Oblak
DEF: Molina - Giménez - Witsel - Hermoso - Riquelme
MID: Koke - De Paul - Llorente
ATT: Morata - Griezmann
The players are out on the pitch!
Don't worry, do not adjust your clocks, it's just the pre-match warmups!
But that means we've only got half an hour to go before kick-off!
Hedeson Alves / EFE
Vitor Roque set to join Barça
Athletico Paranaense have confirmed that young striker Vitor Roque will indeed join the Catalan outfit in January.
The Brazilian will say goodbye to his teammates and make the cross-continental journey to Spain where he will form part of Xavi Hernández’s squad for the second half of the season.
A direct replacement for Robert Lewandowski is arguably the only position that Barcelona do not have covered, so getting Vitor in and settled may potentially be a key move for the Catalans as they look to settle themselves in the Champions League places.
His record at Atletico Paranaense is impressive: in 96 games he has scored 34 goals and has 12 assists, so at least at the top level in Brazil the youngster has shown that he can cut it with the big guns in the Brasileirão.
Pre-game quotes from the managers:
It's great what Cholo has done, 11 seasons winning at the top, it's what you always see with his sides. I admire him.
Winning is the main thing, for Cholo and I; we have different styles but Cholo attacks as well, they score goals, we have to control a lot of things.
There was too much controversy with the style debate when it was being talked about; I don't like the controversy, I just want a good game and we'l try to win, as always. We want to control the ball and play in their half but it will be tough.
Barça have returned to what they always were. Xavi respects the Barcelona style and you can see that, they attack and play well, as well as defending well, which is how they won the league last season.
Today will be a great game, with a lot of bite, just as everyone likes.
We never win here, so that's a weight off our shoulders. The pressure builds for those outside the top two since they keep winning.
A reminder of how the table looks:
If you've just joined us, welcome along to the live build-up of Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid!
Girona and Real Madrid continued their stellar run of form and as a result both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are lagging slightly behind. The two teams in action tonight are level on 31 points, seven behind the top two.
AtléticoMadrid have a game or two in hand, something which. gives them slightly more wriggle room ahead of Barcelona, who have a rampaging Athletic Club clinging onto their trouser leg.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 38 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 31 | 13 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | 31 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 28 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
Is Xavi under pressure?
The Barcelona coach certainly has been, with results for the blaugrana wobblier than a brown bear on a unicycle. Slim wins have been keeping Xavi’s side alive and plenty of times this season they have had to pull off dramatic comebacks in order to throw points on the board that keep them stuck in and around the Champions League places.
Since the win against Porto during the week, a result that saw Barça qualify for the Champions League Round of 16, the pressure has visibly lifted from Xavi’s shoulders.
But their run of games leading up to Christmas looks to have been made by the clown masked individual from the SAW films: it’s a pure exercise in stress and torture, starting with Los Rojiblancos tonight.
Juan Medina / Reuters
LaLiga deadliest duo?
Griezmann and Morata have combined to score 25 goals so far this season, with the Frenchman on 13 and the Spaniard on 12.
Are they LaLiga's deadliest duo?
In terms of numbers, yes. While players such as Bellingham and [choose any Real Sociedad midfielder] might have a shout at getting on the podium for best player so far this season, when it comes to a frightening striking partnership, nobody comes close to the Morata-Griezmann duo.
Simeone's XI announced!
Oblak starts in goal.
Hermoso, Witsel and Josema Giménez are at the back, with Molina and Roro Riquelme on the wings.
Koke, Llorente and De Paul make up the midfield trio; Morata and Grizi are the duo up top.
Barcelona XI revealed!
IñakiPeña starts again.
Araujo, Kounde, Iñigo and Cancelo make up the back four.
Gundogan, DeJong and Pedri are in midfield.
JoãoFélix, Lewandowski and Raphinha start up front.
Susana Vera / Reuters
Club swapping from João and Grizi:
Today’s game has a special flavour of two couples splitting up, only to start going out with the other’s now ex-partner.
João is wearing blue and red while Griezmann is thriving in red and white, and they’ve both been putting up sassy FaceBook posts about how great it is to be with their new beau.
Well, whatever the footballer equivalent of that is…
While we wait on the team news from the coaches, here's what we think will be the Barcelona starting XI for the tie in LaLiga EA Sports.
If you want a hint, then Xavi’s eleven looks set to be the same one that beat Porto in the Champions League in midweek.
The away dressing room is ready!
The away side are in their home shirt for the clash, the change in the kit coming lower down, with the red shorts and socks.
I can confirm that the dressing room is not as narrow as the photos show...
Xavi Hernández pre-game:
Simeone's teams are always difficult to attack against. Each day I have more respect and admiration for Cholo. For all that he has done... He has adapted to the players that he has. At the moment he has a lot of technical players, a more attacking team, both things.
It should be an extra motivation for [João Félix] to play against them. He is motivation and happ, I can see that and he brings us a lot. He is committed and I am delighted with his performance and how he has settled into the squad.
[Ter Stegen] tried but it is still troubling him. We will see next week. He's down because he can't help but he's out for tomorrow.
Atlético to dodge the Camp Nou curse...
Barcelona have not lost at Camp Nou against Atlético since 2006, when Deco, Iniesta, Messi, Ronaldinho and Eto’o made up the blaugrana squad.
As for Atlético, their star was a certain Señor FernandoTorres, who had Maxi Rodríguez and Martin Petrov for company.
A total of 20 games and 17 years have passed since Los Rojiblancos last tasted victory at Barcelona’s famous stadium, but thankfully they have the chance to swerve away from that cursed ground.
The game today, as you are probably aware, is at Montjuïc, not the Camp Nou, which is undergoing renovation.
As such, Atleti can avoid the historical baggage of not having won at Camp Nou since the first decade of the century.
It might seem trivial, but players are fully aware of such statistics and every little helps when it comes to having a clear mind on the pitch.
The blaugrana arrive at the stadium!
Xavi and his squad arrive at Montjuïc ahead of kick-off as the fans gather outside... the atmosphere is bubbling already!
How the top two are doing...
As mentioned, those pesky two at the top can’t stop winning, and Girona showed their mettle yesterday in a tough tie against Valencia, in which alate Cristhian Stuani brace in the final 10 minutes made sure that the Catalans finished the match day right at the top of the tree.
***
Real Madrid overcame Granada at the Santiago Bernabéu in what was a simple showing of just how much class they have throughout their squad.
Injuries have hit the 14-time European champions hard this season but they managed to sweep aside their Andalucian opponents easily enough thanks to goals from Brahim and Rodrygo.
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Atlético Madrid, just as Barcelona, come into this game off the back of a strong win in the UEFA Champions League.
They took on Feyenoord in the Netherlands, and went home with a 1-3 win, topped off with an own goal from Mexican forward, Santiago Giménez.
Atleti are through to the next round thanks to the win against their Dutch opponents and their solid defence will no doubt have gained confidence ahead of their crunch game vs Barcelona.
How the table looks:
Girona and Real Madrid can’t stop winning and their fantastic run of form has left both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid trailing slightly behind. The two teams in action tonight are level on 31 points, seven behind the duo at the top.
It must be said that Atlético Madrid do have a game or two in hand, and only a slip-up against Las Palmas cut their winning run in half throughout the month of November.
Athletic Club breezed past Rayo Vallecano at San Mamés yesterday in a game that keeps them 3 points behind Barça and Atleti, upping the pressure to win today at Montjuïc.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 38 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 31 | 13 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | 31 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 28 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
Here's how the stadium looks pre-game...
With the sun setting, we're in for a beautiful visual spectacle as well as a great game!
Team news: Atlético Madrid
Diego Simeone has to contend with the recent injury to youngster Pablo Barrios, who underwent surgery on a meniscus injury in his knee, and will be out from anywhere between 6 weeks and three months.
The only other addition in Simeone’s injury room is Thomas Lemar. The Frenchman, who is now training back on the pitch, suffered an achilles injury in the game against Valencia back in September.
Team news: Barcelona
Xavi still has his injury list scribbled on a notepad in his pocket that he is forced to look at, and he surely won’t be happy to see the name of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen on there.
It’s gone on for just too long now to not become a worry, but the German is still out with a back issue that forced him home early from international duty.
Iñaki Peña, who had a decent game against Porto in midweek, will be between the sticks at kick-off.
As well as the German shot-stopper, Gavi is the next big name on the list that is written in permanent ink for the season. The midfielder suffered an ACL tear and is out until the summer, with even his Euro 2024 campaign at risk.
Marcos Alonso is a new addition to the list and did not train ahead of the game against Atleti, with Balde thought to be coming in to replace him in a starting XI that will look very similar to the one that overcame Porto in the Champions League as Barcelona sealed their passage to the next round.
Live blog up and running!
Hello hello and a big, warm welcome to the east coast of Spain, where up the hill at Montjuïc we’ve got one of the biggest games of the season!
Barcelona take on Atlético Madrid in what is, without a doubt, one of Spain’s most exciting and intriguing games of the league season!
It’s Joe here today to guide you through the action as it unfolds.