Both undefeated in La Liga, FC Barcelona will face their toughest opponent of the season so far as they take on Atletico Madrid.
The Catalans come in limping, as their depth will be tested against an Atletico side that have added new offensive firepower in this transfer window.
Form
Barcelona recently defeated Malaga 1-0 in a tight affair as the Catalans struggled to break down Malaga throughout the game. It took a stunning volley from Thomas Vermaelen to give Barca the win. This came after a 1-0 away win at Athletic in which Luis Suarez scored the game winner for Barca.
While Barcelona have been less than convincing, Atletico Madrid have gotten off to a great start. It took an Antoine Griezmann free kick in the first half for them to get their first win in La Liga on opening weekend. The very next week, they dispatched reigning Europa League winners Sevilla in a great display of attacking football from Atleltico Madrid. Diego Simeone's side is not known for their attack but it was on display against Sevilla.
Both teams have six points from two games in La Liga so far.
Key Players
For Barcelona, the key players in this game have to be Leo Messi, Thomas Vermaelen, and Marc-André ter Stegen.
It has been a shocking start to La Liga for Messi. He hasn't scored in both the La Liga games and many are wondering what is wrong with his form. One reason could be fatigue since he played for Argentina in the Copa America. But one of the main reasons could be that he is just going through a slump and just needs to get back in the groove of things in La Liga.
He was not a part of the USA tour for Barcelona so the UEFA Super Cup was the first game he played since the Copa America final. Look for him to be heavily involved in the attack as he will face one of the tougher defensive teams in Europe. Vermaelen is still in due to Gerad Pique still being suspended. He will have to deal with the likes of Jackson Martinez and Griezmann on the counterattack as they pose the biggest threat for the Barcelona defense.
With Claudio Bravo out for two to three weeks with a leg injury, Marc-André ter Stegen will be the goalie for Barcelona. He will be making his La Liga debut as he only played in the Copa Del Rey and Champions League last year. He has had a rough start to the season and now is his chance to prove to Luis Enrique that he deserves consideration that he should start for Barcelona in La Liga as well.
For Atletico, the key player they need to have involved is Antoine Griezmann. With his speed alone he could cause Barcelona problems. He will be facing a Barcelona side that has been sometimes horrific at the back. He is great on the counter attack and will be testing Barcelona's back line. Look for him to generate a chance on the other side whenever Barcelona give up possession.
Team News
Leo Messi skipped training the other day due to the birth of his second son. He will be available to play in the Atletico Madrid clash.
Claudio Bravo has been ruled out for two to three weeks due to a leg injury and Marc-André ter Stegen will get the start in goal for Barcelona.
This will be the first game for Atletico Madrid without Raul Garica as he left for Athletio Bilbao on deadline day. After his eight year stay at the club, Garcia looks for a new challenge in Bilbao.
What They're Saying
Athletico know the challenge ahead of them and Antoine Griezmann said that Atletico "will give everything and try to win". It will be a tough task for him and his team but they are surely up to the task of slaying the giant in Barcelona.
Luis Enrique also knows how good of a team Athletico is and knows it will be a challenge, saying "They re-armed themselves very, very well this summer."
But he is also confident in his Barcelona side as well.
"We're going there convinced we can win" said the manager who knocked out Atleti in the Copa Del Rey last year.