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Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Napoli in midweek was thoroughly deserved, coming after one of the team’s best performances all season.
The Catalans were refreshing in attack and solid in defence, with Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal influencing the game in unimaginable ways.
The result against the Italians helped Barcelona advance to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2020. Unfortunately, their next match will only be one level more difficult.
Xavi’s men now look Diego Simeone’s Atlético de Madrid in the eye. Both teams sealed a place in the UCL’s top eight this week, and results at the Civitas Metropolitano will go a long way to boosting their morale for the rest of the campaign.
The last time the two teams met, the Catalans took the three points thanks to a goal from Joao Félix. With the place now playing in The Red and Whites Please, it remains to be seen what Xavi has in store.
Barça Universal brings you three topics of conversation for Atlético de Madrid-Barcelona.
Reason to believe
Barcelona’s season seemed set to end without trophies. With La Liga almost out of reach and the UEFA Champions League boasting much stronger contenders, the Catalans were far from any silverware this campaign.
However, the UCL draw earlier this week gave hope to Catalonia and fans around the world. It gives the team hope to make a good impression in the biggest competition of all and maybe just move on.
Xavi’s men will face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals of the event. Luis Enrique’s team may be the favorites, but it is one of the best draws Barcelona could have asked for in the group.
PSG is a slightly better-oiled unit, but not without its flaws. Going to the semi-final, therefore, is not impossible and in such a scenario, Barcelona will face Atlético de Madrid or Borussia Dortmund.
Therefore, reaching the UCL final is a possibility if Barcelona can take a step forward at the end of this season. However, momentum will be key to achieving it.
The team is in a good moment after the victory over Napoli and tomorrow’s clash against Atlético de Madrid will be even more difficult.
a victory over The Red and Whites, However, it will do a lot of good for the team’s confidence ahead of a demanding schedule next month.
Joao Félix time?
The mere mention of Atlético Madrid this season in Barcelona brings up the topic of Joao Félix, and rightly so.
After all, the Portuguese forward moved to Catalonia in the hope of starting his career again and does not share a good history with The Red and Whites.
Félix and Simeone do not agree, and although the player is still contractually obligated to the Madrid team, he does not see himself linked to them in any way.
The youngster therefore hopes to be able to sign for Barcelona next summer, but he has not yet impressed the management because his lack of consistency overshadows his quality.
A good performance tomorrow will go a long way not only to convincing Barcelona but also to boosting the player’s morale. After all, it is a personal battle of revenge for him, one that was visible when the two teams faced off earlier this season.
Therefore, it would be poetic for Xavi to grant Felix a start despite his poor run of form and hope his determination helps the team. If it works, it can only be described as a win-win situation for all parties involved.
The international break
The clash against Diego Simeone’s men will also mark the end of the current club football window. The players will immediately disperse to join their respective national teams, so there is a feeling that the team must say goodbye with great enthusiasm.
After all, Barcelona’s first five games after the break include two against PSG and one against Real Madrid and the team needs all the momentum it can muster.
At the same time, there is another link between the international break and tomorrow’s clash against Barcelona: the teenage internationals.
Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi have been called up by Luis de La Fuente to participate in the next friendlies in Spain. Although the former has already worn the red colors before, it is the defender’s first call-up.
Considering how reckless international minutes have predisposed so many young Barcelona talents to injury, it is understandable that there is concern in the club’s management about the two teenage stars.
Xavi could therefore be tempted to limit his minutes tomorrow while they are still under his control to limit the damage. However, it cannot be denied that Cubarsi and Yamal are essential for a match against a rival like Atlético de Madrid.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Xavi combines the two factors and balances the players’ minutes to get the best out of them while taking care of their form. An enormous test awaits the manager.