Barcelona host Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday in a crucial first versus second encounter in the La Liga title race.
After the Catalans were held at Las Palmas to a 1-1 draw their lead at the summit has been cut to just five points.
Here are three talking points ahead of the crunch match.
Who wants the win?
With La Liga’s title race on the verge of breaking out into a genuine battle rather than a procession for Barcelona, it will be fascinating to see the approach adopted by both teams on Sunday.
A draw wouldn’t be a bad result for either team. It would allow Barca to retain a five-point advantage rather than seeing Atletico pull within one victory of top spot. And for Atletico, a draw would keep them close rather than falling effectively nine points behind (as a Barca win would also give them head-to-head advantage).
Neither team, though, can afford to lose. So the big question is whether Ernesto Valverde or Diego Simeone will be prepared to risk defeat in pursuit of victory. If the game reaches the hour-mark with the score level, will they settle for a point or take chances and push for a winner?
Diego Simeone
Does Valverde trust Dembele?
Barcelona boss Valverde has been widely lauded for his work this season, but he has faced criticism for his team selection in Thursday’s disappointing 1-1 draw at Las Palmas.
Knowing that Las Palmas boss Paco Jemez employs a passing game which creates open spaces, it was strange that Valverde decided to leave out Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. The latter’s trickery and pace would have been particularly handy, and Valverde’s decision to leave out Dembele could be interpreted that he does not yet trust the ex-Borussia Dortmund man.
On the other hand, it’s possible to draw the opposite conclusion that the Catalan boss is eager to avoid overloading the winger following his recent physical problems, and wants to keep him fresh for this weekend. We’ll find out whether Dembele has gained his manager’s trust when the team sheets are handed in.
Ousmane Dembele
Is there any way past the Oblak wall?
It’s no surprise to see Atletico once again boasting the best defensive record in La Liga, with goalkeeper Jan Oblak only conceding 11 goals in 26 league games.
Such solidity has been the major hallmark of Simeone’s teams ever since he took over in 2011, and even a forward line led by Lionel Messi will be hard pressed to create many clear chances against Oblak et al.
Dembele, if selected, will provide an extra cutting edge, but Barca will also need some thrust from midfield to unsettle the visiting defence.
That could come from Philippe Coutinho’s long-range shooting, Paulinho’s powerful surges into the box or Andres Iniesta’s mazy dribbling, but either way it’s essential for Valverde’s men to show more attacking variety than has often been the case this season. If they don’t, another Atletico clean sheet will be within reach.
Jan Oblak
