Barcelona can ensure that they finish the calendar year at the top of the League by beating Atlético de Madrid at home this Saturday.
The Blaugrana have stumbled in their bid to be crowned champions of Spain, winning just one of their last six league games. athletic As a result, they have caught up with Hansi Flick’s team and can leapfrog them with victory at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.
Injuries have reduced at Barcelona in recent weeks, but this has not seen an improvement in performance. The 1-0 defeat at home to Leganés last time out highlighted that Flick still has a lot of work to do in Catalonia if he is to end his first season with a title.
Here’s how Barça they could line up this weekend.
GK: Inaki Pena – Pena has been a mainstay for Barça since Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury, but the Spaniard has not kept a clean sheet in his last five appearances.
RB: Jules Kounde – Barça have put a lot of trust in Kounde this season and he has rarely made a mistake. The Frenchman will likely be kept busy by Samuel Lino on Saturday, who has provided one goal and two assists in his last three appearances.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – The youngster will return to the starting line-up on Saturday after being used only from the bench against Leganés. The return of Ronald Araujo could threaten his starting place after Christmas.
CB: Inigo Martinez – Martinez’s consistency has been commendable in the first half of the season, but the 33-year-old will enjoy a well-deserved break over the winter break.
LB: Alexandre Balde – The young left-back was undoubtedly Barca’s best player against Leganés and will keep Atlético’s right-back honest with their overlapping runs. It must be lit in the same way in its own half.
DM: Marc Casado – Frenkie de Jong has struggled to get back into the Barcelona team since returning from injury, as has Casado’s form. The star continues to provide expert balance in the engine room.
DM: Peter – Pedri’s playmaking skills may be needed to save a well-organised Atlético defence. The Rojiblancos have conceded only 11 times The League this season and opening them will not be easy.
RW: Fermín López – With Lamine Yamal injured for next Saturday’s game sustained ankle problem against LeganésLopez may be tasked with filling in on the right side.
AM: Dani Olmo – Olmo has not been able to deliver the same performance as at the start of his debut season, but, like Pedri, his ingenuity will be vital if Barcelona are to cause Atlético deep problems. has a dark cloud over his future that won’t help matters.
LW: Raphinha – One man who has continued to pull his weight during Barca’s recent slump is Raphinha, whose La Liga tally already stands at 11 goals and six assists. He has also scored four in his last five starts.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – It wasn’t an inspiring performance by Lewandowski’s standards against Leganés, but 16 goals in 17 La Liga games is not to be sniffed at. You can never bet against the Polish forward finding the net.
