Spain - Primera Division
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Played
September 24, 2011 9:00 PM BST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee:‬ Carlos Delgado‎
Attendance:‬ 79000‎
 
9′ David Villa
 
15′ (OG) Miranda
 
26′ Lionel Messi
 
78′ Lionel Messi
 
90+1′ Lionel Messi
 

La Liga Preview: Barcelona v Atletico Madrid

Gregorio Manzano brings his new-look and in-form side to Camp Nou just a point behind the champions in the Primera Division table

By Martin Macdonald

More On :  Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona, FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
UEFA Champions League: FC Barcelona
Getty

 PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-1-2-3): Valdes; Alves, Mascerano, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Busquets, Thiago; Messi, Fabregas, Villa


Barca centre-back Gerard Pique is back in full training following his calf injury and after the defensive frailties against Valencia, it is touch and go as to whether the Spaniard will make the starting XI. Alexis Sanchez and Andres Iniesta are still sidelined with hamstring injuries. Meanwhile, Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay damaged his cruciate knee ligament in training and will miss an estimated six months of the season.

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Coutois; Silva, Perea, Dominguez, Filipe; Koke, Assuncao, Gabi, Turan; Salvio, Falcao


Atletico Madrid are still sweating over the fitness of Diego, who completed light training on Thursday but it is unsure whether the Brazilian will feature against the champions. However, the Madrid outfit have been boosted by the return of Diego Godin, who has recovered from his injury and is expected to make the squad against Barcelona.


 DID YOU KNOW?
  • In their last four meetings at Camp Nou in La Liga, Barcelona have scored 17 times against Atletico Madrid, conceding just three in reply.
  • Cesc Fabregas has already had more assists in this season (four) than Andres Iniesta accumulated in the whole of 2010-2011 (three).
  • Expect goals in this encounter, as both Barca and Atletico netted over 2.5 goals in 24 of their 38 league games last season, a 63 per cent success rate.

  • Atletico Madrid's last victory at Camp Nou was in December 2006, where they emerged as 3-1 victors.

  • Atletico have won their last two league games 4-0 at home, against Racing and Sporting Gijon, with Radamel Falcao netting five times.

  • Indeed, this match showcases La Liga's two leading goalscorers, Falcao and Lionel Messi, who along with Roberto Soldado have netted five goals in four matches.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • FC Barcelona 3-1 Atletico Madrid
    17.29 %
  • FC Barcelona 3-0 Atletico Madrid
    10.29 %
  • FC Barcelona 4-1 Atletico Madrid
    9.34 %
Head to Head
Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ May 12, 2013 Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Dec 16, 2012 FC Barcelona 4 - Atletico Madrid 1
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Feb 26, 2012 Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Sep 24, 2011 FC Barcelona 5 - Atletico Madrid 0
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Spain - Primera Division ‎(LIGA)‎ Feb 5, 2011 FC Barcelona 3 - Atletico Madrid 0
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Last Five Matches
FC Barcelona
May 19, 2013FC Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1LIGA
May 12, 2013Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
May 5, 2013FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2LIGA
May 1, 2013FC Barcelona 0 - FC Bayern München 3UCL
Apr 27, 2013Athletic Bilbao 2 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
Atletico Madrid
May 17, 2013Real Madrid CF 1 - Atletico Madrid 2ESPC
May 12, 2013Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2LIGA
May 8, 2013Celta 1 - Atletico Madrid 3LIGA
May 4, 2013Deportivo 0 - Atletico Madrid 0LIGA
Apr 27, 2013Atletico Madrid 1 - Real Madrid CF 2LIGA
Odds
Returns: Barcelona £12.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £670.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Atl. Madrid £710.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1Víctor ValdésGoalkeeper
2Daniel AlvesDefender
22Éric AbidalDefender
16BusquetsMidfielder
14Javier MascheranoMidfielder
11Thiago AlcántaraMidfielder
6XaviMidfielder
4Cesc FàbregasMidfielder
17PedroStriker
7David VillaStriker
10Lionel MessiStriker
13José Pinto ColoradoGoalkeeper
17MaxwellDefender
-Andreu Fontàs PratDefender
21AdrianoDefender
5Carles PuyolDefender
3PiquéDefender
-Seydou KeitaMidfielder
13Thibaut CourtoisGoalkeeper
6Antonio LópezDefender
2Diego Godín LealDefender
23MirandaDefender
14L. PereaDefender
10Diego RibasMidfielder
5TiagoMidfielder
4Mario SuárezMidfielder
14GabiMidfielder
21ReyesStriker
9Radamel FalcaoStriker
25Sergio AsenjoGoalkeeper
6Filipe LuisDefender
15Álvaro DomínguezDefender
20JuanfranMidfielder
11Arda TuranMidfielder
8Toto SalvioMidfielder
7AdriánStriker
Players to Watch
Cesc Fàbregas
Cesc Fàbregas
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 4
Games Goals YC RC
30 10 6 0
Four La Liga games, four goals for Cesc, who has adapted to life in his former surroundings effortlessly. He has struck a significant understanding with Lionel Messi in his short time at the club, and his current form makes him an indispensible member of Pep Guardiola's side.
Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 9
Games Goals YC RC
33 28 7 0
The prolific Colombian has taken no time to settle in Spain following his goalscoring exploits for Porto in the previous two years, and five goals in his last two matches suggests that his transfer could prove to be a masterstroke for the capital club. He has the capability to cause the fragile Barca back line no end of problems.
Probable Lineups
Víctor Valdés 1
Daniel Alves 2
Éric Abidal 22
Busquets 16
Javier Mascherano 14
Thiago Alcántara 11
Xavi 6
Cesc Fàbregas 4
Pedro 17
David Villa 7
Lionel Messi 10
Thibaut Courtois 13
Antonio López 6
Diego Godín Leal 2
Miranda 23
L. Perea 14
Diego Ribas 10
Tiago 5
Mario Suárez 4
Gabi 14
Reyes 21
Radamel Falcao 9
Prediction
Given Atletico's recent misfortunes at Camp Nou, it is difficult to see them grabbing a sensational result, but Barca's recent defensive frailties suggest the encounter might be closer than previous victories for the hosts.
Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 3
Atl. Madrid 1
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia 		21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla 		20 3