By Karl Matchett
Bounceback for Barca
After a high-quality first third of the brand new marketing campaign, Barca had been wanting sturdy on the high of LaLiga, flying effectively sufficient in Europe and selecting up notable outcomes alongside the best way – such because the demolishing of Actual Madrid. Quick ahead to mid-November and the wheels began to return off, although. A nine-game run in all competitions yielded three wins and, within the relentless nature of elite home competitors, that’s sufficient to see you fall off the tempo nowadays.
Submit-Christmas, although, Flick’s facet have gained the Supercopa, gained one other Clásico, rediscovered their scoring contact and plundered 12 objectives of their final two video games, together with smashing seven previous Valencia.
Flick doesn’t want his facet to complete high of the preliminary Champions League section to point out how they’ll be a hazard within the knockouts, and the boss has famous profitable LaLiga stays the precedence. However he additionally gained’t need to hand over momentum once more and meaning doable bother for Atalanta, who themselves want a consequence to ensure a top-eight end.
The Serie A facet are seventh, one level above the dotted line – however 14 factors most likely gained’t be sufficient to see them keep away from the playoffs. It’ll take an almighty effort for them to win this sport…however with three wins from three on the highway, they do even have the most effective away document within the Champions League this time period (together with Liverpool.)
Latest kind
After going from late September to late December with only a single defeat to Actual Madrid in opposition to them, Atalanta then not too long ago went 5 with no win. That unhelpful spell has been ended by two straight victories, however Barcelona is a unique take a look at to Sturm Graz and Como. They might effectively see a draw as an amazing consequence on the evening however a disappointing end result total, if the likes of Aston Villa and Feyenoord or Lille discover a win of their very own.
Barcelona have gained six and drawn one in every of their final seven in all competitions, scoring a tremendous 29 objectives in that point. They’ve hit 5 or extra in 4 of their final 5 video games.
Workforce information
Dani Olmo has joined the remedy desk which already had Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Iñigo Martínez on it. Ademola Lookman – star of final season’s Europa League triumph, Odilon Koussounou and Gianluca Scamacca are all lacking in motion for the guests.
Key participant
To not put an excessive amount of expectation on Barcelona scoring a hatful extra in the event that they rotate their crew an excessive amount of, however Atalanta’s again line must be on level. Berat Djimsiti has been their foremost man: the do-everything defender tops their stats for tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks per 90 this season.
Prediction
Barcelona to wrap up their marketing campaign with one other high-scoring sport – which can most likely see Atalanta simply miss out on the highest eight: Barcelona 3-2 Atalanta.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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