'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Lionel Messi vs Jose Gimenez - Attack vs defence
The Catalans have opted to play in a 4-4-2 formation quite often this season with Messi and Suarez up top. For the league leaders, the Uruguayan decides to drift in and around the central defenders whereas Messi often drops deep to have more possession on the ball basically, having a free roaming role.
Trending
As in the previous encounters, Atletico Madrid will try and man-mark the genius with Jose Gimenez being the man most equipped to take up the mantle. He has been in fine form for the past two months and has formed a dependable partnership with Godin at the back.
Atletico have conceded just 11 in the league this season with Gimenez at the forefront as Messi will have his task cut out on the night. But the Colchoneros are his second favourite side (scoring wise) and has scored 27 goals against them in all competitions.
Gimenez will need to have his best game of the season if he has to stop the Argentine who is currently operating at a sky-high level. With 23 league goals to his name, Messi will look to confirm the league title to Barcelona tonight with a win whereas it will be Gimenez who will look to keep Messi quiet and help Atletico Madrid do a repeat of the title-winning 2014 season.
