FC Barcelona is going into this match with a mere two point lead at the top of League. Real Madrid, yesterday with a convincing 3-0 victory against Xerex cut Barca's lead at the top to two points. So the immediate attension of our players will be to restore the lead to five points, despite of all the absentees in defense. FC Barcelona will be missing Marquez and Pique through suspension, meanwhile Toure, Alves, Abidal and Chygrynskiy all are missing through injury. That leaves only three defenders in the squad - Milito, Puyol and Maxwell. It also raises the question about the formation we would play in this match. There have been suggestions about playing a 3-4-3 formation. A 3-4-3 formation with a pure full back, Maxwell could be disastrous at Vicente Calderón. Guardiola has already called upon three Barca Atletic players, Jonathan, Muniesa and Bartra into the squad. Jeffren is finally back from injury and could find a place in the team as he has earlier played the Right Back in Barca's match against Cultural Leonesa. The squad list for the visit to Vicente Calederon is Valdés, Pinto, Bartra, Muniesa, Maxwell, Puyol, Milito, Keita, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Jonathan, Ibrahimovic, Pedro, Bojan, Jeffren, Messi and Henry.Barca Midfield will be Key at Vicente Calderón
FC Barcelona's midfield will be the key to the battle at Atletico Madrid. The clash between Atletico and Barca has produced lots of goals in recent past. Barca's last two visit resulted in high scoring defeats. Last season we were defeated 4-3 and the previous season we went down 4-2. Atletico started this season very badly, but is now looking like having some momentum going in their favour. They have already booked a place in Copa Del Rey final. Folan and Aguero both are looking in good rhythm. Atletico Madrid's weakness is their defense. They have let in 34 goals so far in the league and Barca should be looking to exploit that. So it is absolutely necessary that Guardiola start with a midfield of Iniesta and Xavi along with Busquets. This will ease pressure on the make-shift defense as the midfield shoudl be able to retain possession with ease. The front three coulde see Pedro, Ibra and Messi joining together again. Ibrahmovic's form is a matter of concern and could hurt us in this match. The defense which was the talking point through out this week could see Maxwell, Puyol, Pique and Bartra. I was running a poll to see where you prefer Maxwell to feature, the resounding choice was to play him in Right Back. But with Chygrynskiy also out, Pep may have no other choice but to use him on the left.
I have a feeling that this match will emerge as the most entertaining match in this season. Once again our little trio would be key to Barca's fortune. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez are capable of shutting Atletico completely. Guardiola has to be on his toes with substitution especially with Ibra, if he is not firing. I predict a sensational match with Barca triumphing 4-2 in the end.