5 reasons why Barcelona will find it hard to beat Atletico Madrid this weekend

#2 Hardworking midfielders and agile centre-backs

Diego Godin & Stefan Savic makes a defensive clearance

Barca will find it tough against hardworking Atletico Madrid midfield. Saul Niguez, Gabi, Thomas Partey and Koke work non stop, with or without the ball. In the last season, Atletico Madrid's midfield made more tackles, interceptions and shot blocked than any other La Liga teams against Barcelona.

Playing quick central defenders is the key to stop Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have the players to do that. Simeone's central midfielders provide cover to the defence and his centre-backs provide cover to full-backs.

Simeone has trained his centre-backs, Diego Godin and Stefan Savic, to cover wide areas of the pitch. They go out wide to help their full-backs and have the pace to come back and block the attacks that come through the middle.

Barcelona will have to try repeatedly if they want to penetrate and score past the solid defence and midfield of Atletico Madrid.