Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Luis Enrique’s men face team which cost them second-consecutive Treble last season
Diego Simeone's tactical plan stopped the Catalonia steam-train in Champions League — and faces them again in La Liga
BARCELONA host Atletico Madrid in La Liga’s first blockbuster match of the season.
Luis Enrique’s side swept all before them last season — except for one team.
Barca retained the title and Copa del Rey but were eliminated from the Champions League by Diego Simeone’s men.
Remarkably, however, Atletico have only nicked two points off the Catalans since the Argentine took over in 2011 — but those two draws were worth the title in 2014.
Both have enjoyed a mixed start season with Barca losing at home to Alaves and the Rojiblancos drawing their first two games before hitting form with successive 4-0 and 5-0 wins.
Team News
Samuel Umtiti’s Barcelona’s only absentee for Atletico’s visit.
Other than that, everyone is fit for Enrique — who will again be looking to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
The fearsome attacking trident each scored before half-time during their 5-1 victory over Leganes at the weekend.
Gabi is expected to make his return in Atletico’s midfield who will likely play star man, Antoine Griezmann in a three-man attack alongside Yannick Carrasco and Kevin Gameiro.
Last five meetings
Atletico 2 Barcelona 0
This was the Champions League quarter final second leg, with Atletico trailing 2-1
Griezmann was the star with a goal in each half.
Barcelona had looked unbeatable before meeting Simeone’s men.
Barcelona 2 Atletico 1
Fernando Torres scored a vital away goal before stupidly getting himself sent off.
Barca capitalised through two Suarez goals, but Atletico withstood the pressure.
The result left the tie on a knife-edge ahead of the return at the Calderon.
Barcelona 2 Atletico 1
Atletico imploded as Barca took a three point lead with a game in hand to seemingly put one hand on the trophy in January.
Koke gave the away side the lead before Messi and Suarez turned the game around.
Filipe Luis and Diego Godin then saw red as Atletico players lost their heads.
Atletico 1 Barcelona 2
Again Simeone’s men took the lead — this time through Torres.
But Neymar hit back four minutes later and Messi put Barca ahead with 13 minutes remaining.
The result was a statement for the champions in the third match of the season.
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Atletico 0 Barcelona 1
Enrique’s men clinched the 2014-15 title on the penultimate day of the season with victory at the Calderon.
Messi’s 65th minutes strike was the difference.
It completed the first leg of a sensational treble.