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Ronald Koeman's Barcelona will be looking to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they continue their league campaign away to Atletico Madrid on Saturday night. The match between the two Spanish giants is a mouth-watering one with top-of-the-table consequences, but both sides are not without their share of injury woes.
Barcelona will be without the injured trio of Sergio Busquets, Ansu Fati and Ronald Araujo this weekend while French International Samuel Umtiti remains a doubt due to a knee injury.
Atletico Madrid will be without ex-Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, as the Uruguay international tested positive for COVID-19, which means that he will miss out on the chance to face his former club. Summer signing Lucas Torreira is also sidelined with COVID-19 while Stefan Savic, Hector Herrera, Mario Hermoso and Sime Vrsaljko will all miss out due to various fitness issues.
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Atletico Madrid have struggled against Barcelona over the years; they are winless in their last 20 games against the Blaugrana. Though the Rojiblancos are unbeaten in seven league games this season, they could have their hands full against Barcelona.
On that note, let's take a look at five key player battles that could be key to the game's outcome.
#5 Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) vs Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
The return of German shot-stopper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is a huge boost for Barcelona.
Ter Stegen, who is expected to start against Atletico Madrid, should be pretty fresh after he stayed back at Barcelona over the international break. However, against a resurgent Atletico Madrid, the Blaugrana goalkeeper could face a stern test.
Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid have done more than sitting back and counter-attacking this season, and a lot of credit for that goes to the team's young striker Joao Felix. The young superstar, who is grabbing headlines week after week, has been in terrific form this season. In seven league games, Felix has scored five goals and provided three assists.
Ter Stegen is a world-class keeper, but Joao Felix has demonstrated his ability to score against the big sides. That could make for an enticing contest between the two players.
#4 Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid) vs Miralem Pjanic (Barcelona)
With Sergio Busquets set to miss the Atletico Madrid game, Miralem Pjanic has the perfect chance to try and make a name for himself at his new club. The midfielder is hoping to get his first La Liga start of the season for Barcelona.
Pjanic will look to act as a deep playmaker and help Barcelona open up the rigid Atletico Madrid defence. However, he will have to battle with a certain Saul Niguez in midfield. Niguez's tactical brilliance is near flawless, and the Spaniard rarely gets caught ahead of play and out of position.
The Atletico Madrid player is also capable of breaking opposition lines with quick passes or with runs to exploit space. Miralem Pjanic will have to bring his defensive work-rate to the fore if he hopes to get the better of Saul Niguez in midfield.
#3 Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) vs Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier could have an enticing duel with his Barcelona counterpart Jordi Alba. The two full-backs play on the same flank and don key roles for their respective teams.
Jordi Alba is known for his link-up play, agility, movement, and without a doubt, his attacking threat. His pace and stamina allow him to run up and down the left flank, where he will come up against another solid full-back in Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier.
The Englishman has been a key player in Simeone's side since last season. He has cemented that right-back position and deservedly so. Trippier has sharpened his defensive skillset and has settled well into the Rojiblanco backline. His performances have made him a core part of the team.
With both teams allowing their full-backs the freedom of the pitch, the contest between Trippier and Alba could be a key one in the context of the game.
#2 Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) vs Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
It has been a rather strange season for arguably the best player ever to have played this beautiful game. Lionel Messi has three goals in six La Liga starts this season. While Messi hasn't been at his best, the game against Atletico Madrid could be the perfect opportunity for the Argentinian to roar back into form.
Jose Gimenez has been a key player in the Atletico Madrid rearguard ever since the departure of club legend Diego Godin to Serie A last season.
Gimenez is extremely clever with his game-reading skills and knows exactly how to sniff out danger and when to time his challenges. The Uruguayan is very mobile and agile and can stop blistering counter-attacks. He has been there to clear away danger in pressure situations and will look to do the same against the Messi and co too.
The onus will surely be on Lionel Messi to break down the solid Atletico Madrid back-line. Jose Gimenez, on the other hand, will look to command the Atletico Madrid rearguard and try to stop the Barcelona captain.
#1 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) vs Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona)
It is fair to say that Jan Oblak is the best goalkeeper in the world right now.
The Atletico Madrid shot-stopper is known for his speed, quick reflexes and agility as well as his astute reading of the game. He has made miraculous saves and has conjured ridiculous stats to back up his mind-blowing abilities. Oblak is often the key man for Atletico Madrid and is a bulwark in Diego Simeone's formidable team.
However, against Barcelona, Oblak will be up against his former teammate Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid's all-time leading scorer, who will be looking to get some goals against his former side and kickstart his Barcelona career.
Antoine Griezmann hasn't been at his devastating best since he left Atletico Madrid, but this could be the perfect chance for him to win over the Blaugrana fans and regain some form.
It could be a riveting battle between two world-class players who will try to outdo the other and put in a match-winning performance.
