LaLiga EA Sports fans are in for a treat this weekend, as third-placed Atlético de Madrid are set to take on leaders FC Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday. In a highly anticipated clash between two European powerhouses, the hosts will look to get back to winning ways after losing 3-2 in the derby against Real Madrid just before the break.
Ademola Lookman netted the opener on his derby debut, but Vinícius equalised with his first league goal against Atlético de Madrid and an in-form Fede Valverde turned the game around after the break. Nahuel Molina levelled the scores with a screamer, but Vinícius completed his brace to clinch all three points for second-placed Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona struggled at home against a mighty Rayo Vallecano, who may have deserved to get something from the visit to the Spotify Camp Nou. However, a goal from Ronald Araújo midway through the first half was enough for the hosts to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games across competitions, including seven victories.
RAPHINHA-LESS BARCA LOOK TO MAINTAIN ADVANTAGE
With only nine matchdays to go, the Catalans will look to enter this final stretch of the season with a victory that would allow them to either maintain a four-point advantage at the top of the table or even extend it in the event that Real Madrid drop points at RCD Mallorca this weekend. Having won 17 of their last 19 league games, Hansi Flick’s side are aiming for a second straight league title. Yet, an injury to starting winger, Raphinha, dealt Barça a major blow, as Los Azulgranas will be missing for a few weeks one of the most important cogs in Flick’s well-oiled machine.
In fact, the stats speak for themselves, as FC Barcelona have won 23 of their 27 games this season with the Brazilian international on the pitch and have lost four of the 12 matches where he has been missing. Having recorded 19 goals and eight assists in 31 games, Raphinha is FC Barcelona’s second-top scorer across all competitions behind Lamine Yamal (21). The 29-year-old forward has netted in each of his team’s two victories over Atlético de Madrid this season, but he won’t be able to stretch his streak on Saturday, with Marcus Rashford expected to be assigned the task of filling in on the left flank.
ATLETICO AIM FOR ANOTHER HOME WIN
Having won 13 of their 15 home games this season in the league, Diego Simeone’s team will look to grab their fifth victory in their last six matches. Only FC Barcelona (45) have picked up more points than Atlético de Madrid (40) on home soil, where they thrashed the Catalan side 4-0 in the Copa del Rey back in mid-February. This will be the fourth time the two teams face each other this term, as Barça won 3-1 in their first league clash courtesy of goals from Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo. Los Rojiblancos took their revenge by eliminating FC Barcelona in the cup despite Flick’s side winning 3-0 in the return leg.
Meanwhile, having both qualified for the Champions League quarterfinals, FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid have set up an all-Spanish tie, meaning that the two teams will play each other three times in 10 days. Saturday’s league clash will be followed by the first leg of the knockouts, with Barça hosting Atleti only four days after the league meeting.
The return leg of their quarterfinal tie will be disputed at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 14th, marking the last of the six games between them this season. With FC Barcelona having won four of their last five matches against Atlético de Madrid across all competitions, it remains to be seen if Los Rojiblancos will manage to open this three-game stretch against the Catalans by doubling their home victories over Barça this term.