Ahead of their La Liga clash, Barcelona and Atletico UAE-based fans give their verdict on the game.
To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked UAE fans to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree with their predictions or have they missed the mark? And what do YOU think the outcome of the game will be?
Have your say by commenting below, using #360Fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.
Daniel Rocca, BARCELONA PENYA UAE
This Wednesday sees the meeting of two of La Liga’s in-form teams when Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou. Real Madrid have won all their games of course, the latest against Espanyol – always notorious underperformers against the team from the capital – but Barca and Atletico were both outstanding in their most recent games.
For Barca, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have all produced superb performances in consecutive victories, albeit against weak opposition in Celtic and Leganes. Atletico, meanwhile, are led by the excellent Antoine Griezmann and probably boast the most solid backbone in any European team with Koke, Diego Godin and Jan Oblak in midfield, defence and goalkeeper.
Both teams have huge European matches on the horizon, with Atletico facing Bayern Munich and Barcelona in action against Manchester City, but for now, they will be fully focused on this La Liga showdown.
Atletico have not won at the Camp Nou since 2006 so the onus will be on Barca to claim all three points, particularly after the shock home loss to Alaves recently. But there is plenty of danger with Griezmann, Fernando Torres – a player who scores regularly against the Catalans – and Kevin Gameiro, a summer transfer target for Barca.
Luis Enrique showed against Leganes that he is willing to deviate from the ‘total possession’ school of thought to which so many Barcelona managers have belonged, with a more direct approach evident last time out.
LIKELY BARCELONA XI: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Suarez, Messi, Neymar
SCORE PREDICTION: Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid
BARCELONA PLAYER TO WATCH: Lionel Mess – He has been in great form , playing deep and distributing more – making Barca more direct and ensuring they depend less on midfielders like Andres Iniesta to start every attack.
ATLETICO PLAYER TO FEAR: Antoine Griezmann – The Frenchman has yet to score at the Camp Nou in his career (neither has Gameiro) but Atleti’s marksman appears to have recovered from injury and rediscovered his shooting boots. He’s knocking on the door of the best players in the world.
FAVOURITE BARCA-ATLETICO MEMORY: Barcelona winning 5-3 in 1994. Romario scored a hat-trick, Hristo Stoichkov missed a penalty, two further goals were disallowed, and a man was sent off from each team. Ridiculous game. Barca came from behind twice and in that same season there was also a 4 3 win with a great Pep Guardiola goal.
WHERE TO WATCH: The Barcelona Penya UAE will most likely be watching this one at Carter’s Bar and Restaurant at Wafi Mall.
Jorge Vela, ATLETICO DE MADRID FAN CLUB UAE
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid meet at the Camp Nou late Wednesday night with both sides looking to catch up with current La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Atleti know that in order to win they will need to keep Barcelona’s incredible strike-force at bay, an unenviable task for any team. The Catalans battered Celtic and Leganes, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all in impressive form.
But they showed against Alaves that they are beatable and Atletico come into this one on the back of three consecutive wins, scoring 10 goals without reply. Happily, Antoine Griezmann appears to be showing the sort of form that made him one of the world’s best players last season. Yannick Carrasco is back in the team, bringing some valuable pace to attack.
The last time Atletico played at the Camp Nou – in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals – they looked good in the first half hour and were winning 1-0 before Fernando Torres’ sending off made life difficult. Barca turned things around with the extra player, though it was Diego Simeone’s side who eventually progressed to the semis.
It’s actually been 10 years since Atletico won at Camp Nou, when Torres scored twice in a 3-1 win. But, hey, streaks are there to be ended!
SCORE PREDICTION: Barcelona 1-2 Atletico Madrid
LIKELY ATLETICO MADRID XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godín, Filipe Luís; Gabi, Koke, Saúl; Carrasco, Griezmann and Gameiro.
ATLETICO MADRID PLAYER TO WATCH: Antoine Griezmann – Atleti are a very well organised team, with defence as our best weapon. However, the games are won in attack and there are few better than our prolific French forward.
BARCELONA PLAYER TO WATCH: Lionel Messi – He is the best in the world and has shown it for so many years. If he turns it on, there is really nothing the opposition can do. Neymar and Suarez have complemented him brilliantly and the three are a scary proposition.
BEST BARCELONA-ATLETICO MEMORY: Ask any Atletico fan and I’m sure they’d point to the final day of the 2013-14 season. Barcelona needed to win to become champions, while a draw was what Atleti required. Alexis Sanchez put the hosts 1-0 up but Diego Godin scored the equaliser and handed us the title.
WHERE TO WATCH: Casa de Tapas at Dubai Golf Creek and Yacht Club is the hub for Atletico de Madrid supporters.
FACEBOOK: Atletico de Madrid Fanclub U.A.E. and Casa de Tapas Dubai
