Barcelona face a challenging match against Atletico de Madrid this Saturday and while their aim would primarily be to return to winning ways, they also stand a chance to derail Diego Simeone’s men from closing in on a club record.
The Catalan side has been unpredictable this season, showing their strength with convincing victories over top teams like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund, but also suffering unexpected losses to teams like Las Palmas and Leganes.
This inconsistency will be tested as they go up against Atletico, who are currently in excellent form.
To begin with, Atletico Madrid have had an impressive run, winning 11 consecutive matches. Their current streak is now the second-best in the club’s history, with the all-time record of 13 wins achieved back in 2012 still in sight.
Barcelona stand in way
For Barcelona, there is no better opportunity to halt Atletico’s winning streak than this upcoming game. The Blaugrana have been a tough opponent for the Madrid club in recent years, with Atletico failing to win a match at the Nou Camp under Simeone.
Barcelona stand in way of Atletico Madrid from closing in on a club record. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
In fact, Barcelona have won five consecutive games against Atletico, all with Xavi Hernandez in charge. Simeone’s record against Barcelona in La Liga is far from impressive, with only two victories, seven draws, and 16 defeats to his name.
Barcelona’s consistent dominance over Atletico in recent seasons makes them a formidable challenge for Simeone’s team.
Different teams, different momentum
Both teams enter the match with differing momentum. Barcelona have been somewhat inconsistent, especially in La Liga.
Although they have won important Champions League fixtures, they have struggled to maintain their early-season form in Spain’s top league. On the other hand, Atletico’s season got off to a rocky start, but they have turned things around dramatically.
Atletico’s ambition is clear—they want to match their all-time best streak by defeating Barcelona this Saturday and following that up with a victory over Marbella in the Copa del Rey on January 4.
For Barça, stopping this run is a crucial opportunity to regain their own momentum in La Liga and reassert their dominance in the Spanish top flight. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to claim the upper hand.