Atletico Madrid need to stick to their basics against Barcelona

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 16:08 23/11/2018
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  • Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann

    It’s a top-of-the-table clash in La Liga as an injury-struck Atletico Madrid host a wounded Barcelona at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.

    The Rojiblancos came from behind twice to beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 in their previous game whereas the Blaugrana’s attempts of a come-back against Real Betis proved unfruitful.

    The neutrals will be hoping that Atletico provide more resistance to Barcelona’s frontline than their city rivals did, or maybe even overcome the holders and rise to the top of the table?

    Here, we take a look at the tactics that Ernesto Valverde and Diego Simeone might turn to.

    The trademark Cholismo

    Simeone – or Cholo, as he’s popularly called – seldom discards his style of play, something that has defined him since his rise in 2011. The Argentine might tweak the finer details, but his philosophy of low-risk play with cautious attacking remains the crux of Atletico’s game.

    We can expect the same on Saturday against Barcelona. Cholo will line his men in a 4-4-2 formation with Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa being burdened with defensive duties. The pair will be attempting to pressurise and dispossess Sergio Busquets and Arthur Melo.

    Never the ones to build their way up to the final third, Los Colchoneros will be looking to strike through quick transitions.

    Exploit the space behind the opposite full-backs

    Given how the hosts will be maintaining a compact backline, Barcelona’s full-backs will be pushing higher up in order to distort their defensive shape. Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba will be comfortably camped up in Atletico’s attacking third and the space behind the two will be vulnerable to penetration.

    Thomas Lemar – despite his sub-par start to life at Atletico – can cause real damage to the Barcelona defence. Rodrigo has the traits to resist the press and set Lemar into space, while Griezmann will be looking to use this fixture to strengthen his case for the Ballon d’Or.

    Messi frees up Malcom

    With Philippe Coutinho sidelined due to injury, it remains to be seen whether Valverde will field Ousmane Dembele, Rafinha or Malcom. But in all probability, the latter will be handed an opportunity to prove his worth.

    A deep-lying Messi will be keeping a defender or two stuck to him on the borders of the final third. This should open up space for the young Brazilian who could fancy a shot from distance. Messi’s movement to distort Atletico’s shape will be crucial to Barcelona’s chances.

    It’s safe to assume the majority of the action will occur in Atletico’s half and if the visitors find it hard to penetrate, they will have to depend on some magic from Messi to secure all three points.

    Wide overloads

    The hosts should set up in a compact manner against Barcelona. This should allow the full-backs to push up higher and be more involved in attack. With Roberto and Alba stretching the play, the wingers in the half-space will be left unmarked at time and this can work in Barcelona’s favour.

    A direct effect of this approach would see more crosses from the right flank and with the imposing Diego Godin missing due to injury, Barcelona should be able to make the most of the crosses and set-pieces.

    Should Barcelona come out on top, they will be doing it in a very un-Barcelona way. If Atletico are to come out on top, they will need to stick to their basics.

    Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona

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