Barcelona and Atletico deals .. in the "Nou Camp" test
The return to the qualifying positions for the Champions League competition will be the reward for the winner between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on Sunday, as the two giants seek to speed up the process of rising from the pitfalls and restore the spirit of competition in the Spanish Football League in the twenty-third stage, and the confrontation is considered in the stronghold of Barcelona (Nou Camp). A real test of a number of deals made by the two teams in the "winter Mercato".
Despite his return to the path of victories in his last match against Alaves 1-0, Barcelona lacked the touch and creativity, unlike the case with his legendary star Lionel Messi, who left for Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
The results have improved recently, as Barcelona lost only once in the league in Xavi's ten matches, noting that the former midfielder created a plan and style of play similar to the club's philosophy, despite the inability of his players to always adhere to what is put on paper on the field.
The youth element emerged in the team, with Nico Gonzalez, Gavi, Pedro and Uruguayan Ronald Araujo forming the backbone of a young squad, but the most important thing is the success of Barcelona, advancing to fifth place with 35 points, to bridge the gap by only one point from Atletico Madrid in fourth, which means that the victory will raise it to one Places eligible for the parent competition for the first time since September.
Everything depends on the results
. The Catalan club aims to get rid of its huge debts, preserve emerging talent, and even compete to include the likes of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund next summer, but it all depends on Xavi's team entering the big four circle.
Romantic ideas about style and a young generation became so realistic that Xavi and club president Joan Laporta re-signed Brazilian veteran Dani Alves (38), Adama Traore, and signed Arsenal striker, Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Oyamyang, in two deals during the winter transfers.
Aubameyang could make his debut on Sunday, although the 32-year-old played his last game for Arsenal on December 6, so he is likely to be on the bench until he regains fitness.
On the other hand, the problem of the capital club, Atlético, lies in receiving goals instead of recording them, and the collapse of its defensive lines, which were famous for their solidity in recent years, which is considered the main reason for the fluctuation of the path of defending its title.
Colchoneros conceded 26 goals, one more than it conceded in 38 games last season.
With four consecutive defeats in December, Atletico's hopes of catching up with neighbors and rivals Real have not only ended, but doubts have been raised about Atletico's ability to recover and even about the fate of Argentine coach Diego Simeone.
Atlético faces Barcelona, rejoicing in its most exciting victory in months, as it returned from a 0-2 delay to defeat Valencia 3-2 in the "Wanda Metropolitano" in the twenty-second stage before stopping for two weeks due to the international window.
And Suarez certainly will not need an additional motivation on his second return to the "Camp Nou" after the disappointment of leaving his ranks two seasons ago after questioning his abilities.
On the other hand, Seville can reduce the difference between him and Real to a point if they beat Osasuna on Saturday, before the "Royal" plays at home against Granada on Sunday
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Real hopes to compensate for his exit from the local cup on Thursday by losing a fatal goal in the 89th minute against Barcelona from his title, Athletic Bilbao 0-1 in the quarter-finals.
Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his disappointment after the loss, "It hurts because we want to reach the final of every competition. There are two left...", referring to the domestic league and the Champions League.
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