FC Barcelona are set to play another blockbuster game in La Liga on Sunday when they will travel to the Spanish capital to [face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano](https://barcanewsnetwork.com/barcelona-could-be-without-key-midfielder-for-crucial-atletico-madrid-encounter/). The Colchoneros eliminated the Blaugranes from both the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey last season, and the Catalans will thus be keen to get revenge from the Mattress Makers on Sunday.
However, getting a result in this game will not really be easy. Barcelona have recovered some form following the defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid with wins against Alaves and Aston Villa. Still, Atletico will present them with a more serious challenge.
Irrespective of who gets to win this match, both of these sides will not have to wait for long to face one another again. As [MARCA](https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/2026/11/06/laliga-adelanta-2-diciembre-barca-atletico-real-sociedad-real-madrid.html) has reported, La Liga has brought the matches between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid and Real Sociedad for matchday 23 earlier, and the Blaugranes and the Colchoneros will face again on 2nd December, only 24 days after this Sunday’s meeting.
La Liga has taken this measure to ensure none of the teams participating in the Spanish Super Cup this year face any problems with scheduling. This competition is set to take place from February 2 to 6, and the rest of the games in La Liga matchday 23 will also be played within that time period. But to avoid a clash for the sides competing in the Super Cup, their matches have already been rescheduled.
In normal circumstances, league matches between these two sides would be played months apart. This was also the case in the initial plan for this season, as the second tie between them was scheduled for February 7.
To make things even more interesting, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will again face off on February 2, in the first semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup, which is set to be played in Istanbul this year. For now, it remains to be seen which of these teams will get the bragging rights in all these fixtures.