It can be said more clearly but not louder: the League passes through Montjuïc. Between this Sunday and next it will be known whether Xavi Hernández's Barcelona, already qualified for the Champions League round of 16, is in a position to defend the champion title. It is the cotton test that will not deceive. Two of the great alternatives visit him in eight days after he already allowed himself to be beaten there by Real Madrid. Atlético, which is no longer a newcomer, will be the first danger thanks to a new record, just as solid in defense and more ingenious in attack. Then the surprising Girona will threaten, fired up and eager to show that it is a real contender.
The pressure is maximum, now in the national tournament after obtaining the European ticket against Porto, since the Blaugrana go out to play seven points behind the leaders. A false step can be fatal for a team that has not yet found the key. “We cannot say that we are in the best moment of the season. It is evidence,” said the coach, in search of another turning point.
For the president, who was at the last training session, it is a day when the fans must respond. “Against Atlético they are always electric games. Playing at home we need the warmth of the public. We need all the culés to come to Lluís Companys,” claimed Joan Laporta.
If Barcelona needs to rediscover its essence and reaffirm itself, there is nothing better than facing Simeone's Atlético, antagonistic to the style preached by Xavi, who trusts in the De Jong-Gündogan-Pedri triangle to dominate the match.
“We compete against a super rival. We have a test against a Champions team. "We consider Atlético a direct rival to win titles." These were three of Xavi's praises for the colchoneros. His counterpart did not fall short. “I'm sure it will be a nice game. We play against an opponent who will fight until the end to win the League. We will face a tough rival as always,” returned the Argentine, who has made 16 visits to Can Barça without victory.
The Barça-Atlético team always went well on the retina. Some deserve a privileged space in memory. There was a time when they became an orgy of goals with Cruyff's flight, hat-tricks from Romário or Stoichkov, Caminero's dribble against Nadal, Arnau's debut in goal, Ronaldo's elastic against Geli, the poker of Pantic the night of Macanudo Pizzi's comeback, Ronaldinho's overhead kick, Fernando Torres' streak, Messi's sting and the photo of the trident.
For some time now, significance for the titles has been added to the show. The Barça-Atlético have gone to a new dimension since they are decisive duels. Simeone, winner of the Leagues 13-14 and 20-21, is largely to blame for this. “Every day I spend as a coach I have more respect for Cholo. He has changed the history of his club and has a lot of merit. He has been adapting to what he has, now to players with a more technical profile. “Everyone is involved and plugged in and that is the greatness of Simeone,” said Xavi, who still cannot count on Ter Stegen.
In case any ingredient was needed, the presence of João Félix adds an unusual morbidity. The Portuguese, owned by Atlético on loan to Barça, is repudiated by Simeone, who believes that “everyone can play a game well” and “the important thing is continuity.” Xavi defends him from the stick. “It should serve as extra motivation. Here we are very happy. From day one he has been hard-working, dynamic, a joker and has adapted very well,” he said.
On the other side, something similar happens with Griezmann, misunderstood at the Camp Nou and Colchonero leader. “With Morata they are a world-class forward.” The Frenchman has 13 goals and the Madrid-born 12. In the entire last campaign they scored 16 and 15, respectively. While at Barça, Lewandowski, with 8 goals, is far from the 33 of his first year. “He is practically a robot that trains and trains finishing. You have to nourish it more,” Xavi prescribed. He raises the pressure for everyone.
