Barça must defend its leadership against Atlético at the Metropolitano

Barça, the La Liga leader, must win this Sunday evening at the Metropolitano against Atlético de Madrid, with kickoff scheduled for 9 p.m. The two top clubs in the Spanish championship meet while they are separated by only two points. In case of defeat, Barcelona would lose its top spot to its opponent.

Since the start of the season, Lamine Yamal and his teammates have excelled against weaker teams but are less effective against stronger sides. Barça was beaten by Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League (2‑4) and then by their Madrid rival in the Clasico in La Liga (1‑2), which pushes them to respond to a major challenge. Atlético does not make much noise, but Simeone’s side has already shown its ability to eliminate Barça from the Champions League as early as the quarter‑finals last spring.

The Blaugrana, missing Rodri, are warned to exercise the necessary caution. The expected line‑ups for Atlético are: Oblak — Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Grimaldo — Barrios, Hjulmand, Baena — G. Simeone, Alvarez, Lee. The expected line‑up for Barça is: Joan Garcia — Cancelo, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Balde — Bernal, Pedri — Yamal, Fermín López, Gordon — Raphinha. The match will be broadcast this Sunday on Disney+, from 9 p.m.