Atlético Madrid Vs FC Barcelona, Expected Lineups And Team News, La Liga

The first of a trilogy of clashes will mean that Atlético Madrid host Barcelona at the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday night in a fixture that carries more weight than a standard La Liga matchday.

The Champions League draw has paired the two sides together in the quarter-final, with the first leg set to take place just four days after this game. It will mean the clubs face each other six times across the season in total, after Atleti knocked Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey at the semi-final stage.

Atlético go into Tuesday having lost their last two consecutive games by the same scoreline of 3-2, to Tottenham and Real Madrid, conceding two or more in five of their last six matches.

At home, however, the picture is different: Simeone’s side have won their last six home matches in a row and dropped only five points from a possible 39 at the Metropolitano this season.

Atlético Madrid team news vs. FC Barcelona

The biggest uncertainty ahead of kick-off concerns Jan Oblak. The Slovenian goalkeeper is an injury doubt and has yet to rejoin training. If he does not pass fit in time, Juan Musso will continue between the posts, with the Argentine having kept one clean sheet in three appearances since coming into the side and has performed well enough to make his selection straightforward if Oblak is not available.

Defensively, Marc Pubill missed Atlético’s last two games with a rib injury but is expected back in training this week and is likely to start if he passes a fitness test. Matteo Ruggeri trained individually during the international break as a precautionary measure to manage his workload, but is expected to be available and play after a good performance against Lamine Yamal in the last meeting with Barcelona.

The most significant absences are in midfield. Marcos Llorente and Johnny Cardoso are both suspended after reaching five yellow cards, removing two regular starters and significantly limiting Simeone’s options in the center of the pitch. That suspension double could force Alex Baena into a deeper role than usual.

Koke, Alexander Sørloth and Ruggeri are each one booking away from their own suspension, with an away game against Sevilla between the two Champions League legs offering a convenient opportunity to rest players if yellow card risk becomes a concern.

Midfield duo Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza could both rejoin training this week after hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, though neither trained during the international break and both are likely to be held back for the Champions League rather than risked here.

Atlético Madrid’s expected lineup vs FC Barcelona

Atlético Madrid expected lineup vs FC Barcelona (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Alex Baena, Koke, Ademola Lookman; Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez.

With Llorente and Cardoso both suspended, Koke is the only natural central midfielder available and is certain to start. Baena, primarily an attacking midfielder, looks set to fill one of the vacated central positions. The shape may therefore be more compact than usual, with Giuliano Simeone providing width on the right and Lookman on the left.

Oblak’s availability will be monitored closely. If he does not train before Tuesday, Musso could be the more likely option to start. Pubill’s return from the rib injury would offer much-needed defensive stability; without him, coach Simeone’s options at center-back become limited.

Up front, Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez are expected to lead the attack. Alexander Sørloth offers an alternative from the bench but has been carrying a knock and his involvement may be limited to a cameo role if Simeone opts to protect him ahead of the Champions League.