The line-up of Barcelona for the top match with Atlético Madrid is known. Ronald Koeman, who has to take a seat in the stands due to a suspension, opts for a starting eleven on Saturday evening without Luuk de Jong, who had appeared at the starting signal in recent duels. Just like against Levante, Barcelona plays with a 4-2-3-1 system. The duel in the Wanda Metropolitano is led by referee César Soto Grado and will start at 9 p.m.
Koeman therefore does not opt for the criticized 3-5-2 system with three central defenders in Madrid. The system corresponds to the playing style against Levante on Saturday, although the Dutchman now appeals to Philippe Coutinho and Luuk de Jong is missing. A starting place has also been made for Nico González and Gavi. Again, no risk is taken with Ansu Fati: the youngster starts from the bench. Sergiño Dest is preferred on the left over Jordi Alba, who was sidelined due to injury and starts on the bench.
“Koeman will remain Barcelona’s coach regardless of the result against Atlético. Whatever happens,” chairman Joan Laporta was quoted as saying by various Spanish media on Saturday afternoon. “He deserves a margin of confidence, especially as he has a barcelonista is. I really appreciate that he came to Barcelona at a particularly difficult time. He still has every confidence in it. After my conversation with Koeman, I can see that he still believes in this selection, especially from the moment that the now injured players are back. Koeman has a contract and I hope we will win again soon and play well. I am sure Koeman will do everything in his power to do so.”
Barcelona has been performing very poorly since the last international match. Only one of the five matches was won: a 3-0 win over Levante. The first two group matches against Bayern Munich and Benfica in the Champions League were both lost 0-3. Atlético has performed irregularly in recent weeks: three away games were won 1-2, but the home games with FC Porto and Athletic Club ended goalless and the visit to low-flyer Deportivo Alavés was lost 1-0.
Atletico Madrid line-up: oblak; Llorente, Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso; Carrasco, Koke, DePaul, Lemar; Joao Felix and Suarez.
Barcelona line-up: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Pique, Araújo, Dest; Busquets, Nico Gonzalez; Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Coutinho; Depay