On Saturday night, Atletico Madrid will host Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in a huge LaLiga clash of the 2020/21 season. Diego Simeone is yet to win his first game against the Catalan giants in the domestic league but the Rojiblancos are in red-hot form while their weekend opposition are still trying to find their feet.
This tactical analysis will serve as a preview of both teams tactics and their potential approaches to the derby. At the end of the analysis, we will also give your our final score predictions as well.
Predicted lineups
Accurately predicting the tactics is very difficult on its own but it suddenly becomes even more challenging in the current situation. Both squads are affected by injuries and absences, especially the hosts. Simeone cannot count on the likes of Lucas Torreira, Šime Vrsaljko nor on Luis Suárez whos tested positive for COVID-19.
Diego Costa is also a doubt so weve decided not to include him in the predicted lineup. Jan Oblak received a knock during his international duties but should be back to man the sticks. In front of him, a quartet of Mario Hermoso, José Giménez, Stefan Savić (if fit) and Kieran Trippier should start. In the midfield line, we expect to see Saúl Ñíguez, Koke, Geoffrey Kondogbia getting his first start and Ángel Correa out wide.
Finally, Marcos Llorente and the star of the team, João Félix in the forward line. Atletico Madrid will likely be deployed in a 4-4-2 formation on paper.
Ronald Koeman is facing issues of his own as both Ansu Fati and Sergio Busquets are confirmed to be out of the squad. However, Philippe Coutinho may return from injury just in time to participate and the rest of the squad is mostly fit. Marc-André ter Stegen will surely start in goal with Jordi Alba, Clément Lenglet, Gerard Piqué and Sergi Roberto completing the defence.
In midfield, Frenkie de Jong is likely to be partnered by Miralem Pjanić and Koeman could deploy Lionel Messi just in front of them in that no.10 role. Despite Coutinho potentially returning to full fitness, Pedri seems like the safer option at the moment on the left side. On the right, Ousmane Dembélé might get a start in a huge clash and Antoine Griezmann will face his former time from the sole striker position.
We expect
