Barca to test their away form at Wanda in key game against Atletico

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, November 30, 2019
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MADRID, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona's fragile away form faces a stiff challenge on Sunday when Ernesto Valverde takes his side to play Atletico Madrid in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

The game will be the first time Antoine Griezmann has faced his former club since leaving Atletico to sign for Barca over the summer and the Frenchman can expect a hostile reception from his former fans.

The hamstring injury which will keep Ousmane Dembele out of action for around 10 weeks means that Griezmann is more likely to start alongside Leo Messi and Luis Suarez in the attacking line, although there is a chance Valverde could leave him on the subs' bench and play Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic in a four-man midfield as he searches for the formula away from home.

Barca won 2-1 away to bottom of the table Leganes last weekend, but they once again struggled to produce much flowing football and that performance follows defeats against Levante, Granada and Athletic Club and a 2-2 draw away to Osasuna.

Rakitic returned to the starting 11 for the first time this season and his tidy and creative display in midfield was one of the reasons for a 3-1 win at home to Borussia Dortmund where Barca looked more like their old selves.

Atletico have been slightly below their best for much of the campaign and although Griezmann has so far struggled to adapt to life at the Camp Nou, it is fair to say they have missed his goals at the Wanda and his loss has been made worse by the injury suffered by Diego Costa.

Alvaro Morata has impressed and will be Atletico's main threat in attack, while teenager Joao Felix has shown moments of magic, but also needs time to adapt to the rigors of La Liga.

With Jose Gimenez injured in defense Mario Hermoso and Felipe Monteiro will play in central defense, while Diego Simeone will look to close spaces in the middle with Saul Niguez, Thomas Partey and Koke.

Atletico are currently three points behind Barca having played one game more. A win would put them right back into the title race, but if Valverde's men do finally produce some away form, any title hopes Atletico may harbor will start to disappear into the distance. Enditem

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