Despite topping the La Liga standings, Barcelona are in a domestic slump, managing just one win in their last six league outings in La Liga.
In sharp contrast, their Champions League campaign has been a model of consistency, with Hansi Flick’s side securing an impressive five wins from six group-stage matches to sit second in their group.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid are flying high across all competitions. Level on points with Barcelona in La Liga but boasting a game in hand, Diego Simeone’s men occupy second place and exude confidence. Unbeaten since late October, they are riding an impressive 11-game winning streak.
Barcelona’s recent league struggles were shown in their most recent game where they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Leganés, in which they conceded just four minutes into the match and failed to recover.
The Catalans’ last league victory, however, was a resounding 5-1 demolition of Mallorca at the Campo de Fútbol de Son Moix, with Raphinha stealing the show courtesy of two goals and an assist.
Atlético, by contrast, continued their winning ways with a gritty 1-0 victory over Getafe at the Metropolitano. Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth scored the decisive goal to continue the side’s winning run of form.
For the home side, this game carries immense significance as they aim to keep their place at the top of La Liga, with both Madrid rivals close behind. For Atlético, the stakes are just as high, as a win would see them overtake Barcelona and move to the top of the table.
Head-to-Head
The last meeting between these sides took place in March, with Barcelona securing an emphatic 3-0 victory. Goals from João Félix, Robert Lewandowski, and Fermín López sealed the win in a dominant display.
Atlético Madrid have struggled in this fixture recently, failing to claim victory in their last five encounters with Barcelona. Their most recent win came in 2021 when Thomas Lemar and Luis Suárez found the net to secure the points.
It was February in 2006 when they last won this game away from home, though, when they won 3-1 with Fernando Torres getting two goals either side of a goal from Maxi Rodríguez.
In their history, it is their most played fixture, having met 242 times in all competitions.
They have drawn 56 times, with Atlético winning 76 times but their opponent Barcelona winning 110 times.
Team News
Barcelona has been dealt a significant blow with the injury to Lamine Yamal, who sustained an ankle issue in their last match and is expected to be sidelined until 2025.
However, there is a potential boost for the team with the return of Ansu Fati, who has now rejoined full training and could feature in this upcoming game. Fati has been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during a training session in November and has made just four league appearances so far this season.
In addition, former Chelsea center-back Andreas Christensen has returned to training in the past week. Although he has only played once for Barcelona, with a brief 26-minute appearance against Valencia, he has been out of action for the past four months.
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen had to have surgery on his knee in September after he suffered an injury in a game against Villarreal and will be missing until then. This will likely mean that Inaki Peña will continue in between the sticks after he has become Flick’s number-one in the past few months.
For the away side, the team are fortunate enough that they haven’t got any fresh injury concerns, with Lemar the latest player to return. He has been on the bench for the past few games and may have more of a role to play during the busy festive period.
They are likely not to make too many changes due to how well they have been doing however after Sørloth’s goal in the previous name he could be in line for a start. However, he will have strong competition in the attacking position with the partnership of Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez on form this season.
Barcelona: Pena, Kounde, Garcia, Martinez, Balde, Casado, Pedri, F Lopez, Olmo, Raphinha, Lewandowski
Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan, Simeone, De Paul Barrios, Gallagher, Alverez, Griezmann
Players to watch
Barcelona- Raphinha
The Brazilian winger has been on fine form for his club this season and has attracted interest in a potential return to England with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea all looking at the player.
He has been one of the stand-out players for his club, grabbing 17 goals and 8 assists combined in both the Champions League and the La Liga.
Barcelona bought him from Leeds in 2022 for a reported fee of £50 million and won the La Liga in his first season.
His run of good form this season was recognized with him picking up the August Player of the Month award for the La Liga.
This form continues off of the back of Copa America, where he was included in the Team Of The Tournament after Brazil reached the Quarter Finals.
Atlético Madrid - Julián Alvarez
Alvarez signed for Rojiblancos for a reported fee of £81.8 million after leaving Manchester City where he won the treble.
As well as the treble that year he was a massive part of Argentina's side that won the World Cup in 2022. He played 7 times for his country in the tournament, scoring four times, two of which were in the semi-final against Croatia.
One of his biggest qualities is his versatility, with him being able to play anywhere across the front line. This season he has mainly been used as a centre forward but has sometimes played on the left wing.
In his 25 appearances this season he has scored 12 goals with five of them coming in the La Liga.
He also has an amazing record in the Champions League, with four goals in this year’s competition and 12 goals in 23 games in his career so far.
How to watch the game
The La Liga match between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid takes place on Saturday 21st December 2024. The match will kick off at 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT and is available to watch on USA Network and NBC.
