The last game of 2024 for Barcelona is one of the most important matches of the entire La Liga season as the current leaders face off against Atlético Madrid in a blockbuster clash with top spot in the table at stake on Saturday night at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.
Barça have fallen off a cliff since their incredible start to the season and badly need a victory to regain their confidence going into the holiday break and a brutal January schedule, but have to face the most in-form side in Europe as Diego Simeone’s men arrive with an 11-game winning streak and are more than ready to take advantage of Barça’s struggles to get a monster result on the road.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Saturday’s big game.
Defense
FC Barcelona v CD Leganes - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
There’s zero doubt about Flick’s team selection going into this one. Barça had a free week with no midweek commitments so they were able to rest and fully focus on preparing for the visit of Atleti, and Flick will no doubt go with what he considers his strongest available XI.
The back four of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez and Alejandro Balde should remain intact even with the return of Ronald Araujo, who is not ready to start a game of this magnitude after missing so much time with injury. Iñaki Peña will start in goal and needs to be at his very best against the on-fire duo of Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann.
Midfield
FC Barcelona v CD Leganes - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Even though Fermín López has made a pretty strong case to replace Dani Olmo in the starting lineup given his recent performances, we still think the coach will trust Olmo to provide the necessary spark to help create chances against an Atlético backline that does not allow many of them.
The double pivot of Marc Casadó and Pedri continues to be the foundation of Barça’s system, and both will need to play very well together, which hasn’t happened in a while, to ensure the Blaugrana have a chance to win.
Attack
FC Barcelona v CD Leganes - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Lamine Yamal’s injury is a monster blow going into a matchup against an elite backline, so Raphinha will be counted on more than ever to replace the teenage superstar on the right wing and provide goalscoring ability and quality service for Robert Lewandowski, who hasn’t found the net in three of his last four appearances and must be at his clinical best in this one.
Ferran Torres has assumed the goalscoring duties during Lewandowski’s slight dip in form and will most likely get a chance to start with Yamal out, hoping to provide extra punch up front to help Barça find a way to score against one of the top defenses in the continent.
Possible XI: Peña; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; Casadó, Pedri; Raphinha, Olmo, Ferran; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Atlético? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!