La Liga’s first big clash is set to take place on Wednesday night and it’s set to be a cracker of a match. Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid always brings fireworks because of the two contrasting styles of the teams.
Both teams have had shaky starts to the season, with Atletico drawing their first two matches and Barcelona suffering a shock defeat at home to Deportivo Alaves last weekend. But both have bounced back since then, scoring a ton of goals in the process.
The team that doesn’t come out of this with a positive result will drift further from the title-chasing pack. Let’s look at the combined XI of the best players from both sides.
GoalKeeper – Jan Oblak
Jan Oblak is one of the best keepers in La Liga and he also made many critics’ team of the season last year. Atletico have continued their tradition of having great stoppers. Every time they lost a big name they were always found another world class replacement.
Oblak kept the most clean sheets last season with 32 across all competitions, which is an extraordinary number. Oblak’s biggest strength is his ability to make reflex saves from any kind of range. Ter Stegen is a good keeper but is still a liability because of his risky style of play.
Defence
Juanfran – RB
At right-back, we have the never tiring Juanfran. The Spanish defender is probably one of the best in the world right now and is one of the best at tracking back when it comes to modern full-backs.
Diego Simeone always knows what he wants from his defense and Juanfran is a great example of a player with the right balance attacking and defending. Barca probably lack a world class right back with Sergi Roberto currently the make-shift in that position.
Diego Godin – CB
Diego Godin is a world class centre-back and is at the heart of that Atleti team’s fighting spirit. Without the experience and leadership of the Uruguayan, Atleti might not be among Europe’s elite.
A lot of credit has to go to Diego Simeone as well who has built the foundation of his team on Godin’s defensive capabilities.
Gerard Pique – CB
Gerard Pique gets the nod ahead of Stefan Savic because Barcelona would have conceded a lot more without him in the squad. Mascherano is still not the perfect defender, and Samuel Umtiti is still learning the ropes which makes Pique all the more important for Barcelona.
Considering Barca do not assign defensive duties to their front three, Pique makes several crucial tackles most of them last ditch when the opposition are on the counter.
Filipe Luis – LB
Jordi Alba is no doubt one of the best attacking left backs in the world but sometimes he can be a little lazy in defense. Filipe Luis is also very good going forward and is a much more secure option at the back.
This makes him the preferred choice in the combined XI ahead of the Spaniard.
Midfield
Sergio Busquets – CM
Sergio Busquets is a player Barca missed dearly in the last game against Leganes. The Catalans did come out on top with a 5-1 win but the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story. Leganes’ high press caused the Barca midfield a lot of problems and it was the killer instinct of their counter attack that decided the contests.
Busquets is very important to the composure of Barcelona’s midfield play and there is no doubt he’s one of the best in the world at the moment in that position,
Ivan Raktitc – CM
After the departure of Xavi Hernandez, everyone must have thought it would be impossible to replace him, but Raktic though not a like for like replacement has done exceptionally well in that role.
He’s more of a box to box midfielder who has the knack of scoring goals as well. He’s no Xavi but he’s given Barcelona another dimension.
Koke – CAM
With Iniesta still finding his feet after a small injury layoff, the veteran is still not back to his best for Barca. Andre Gomes and Dennis Suarez filled in for him while he was out but he played a majority of the match against Leganes.
Atletico have somehow managed to keep hold of Koke despite interest from several clubs in the last few seasons. The Spaniard was among the elite of creators in Europe last season and has started this season very well.
Forwards
Antoine Griezmann – LW
Almost every big club in Europe was after Antonie Griezmann in the summer. The player has evolved into one of the best players in the world, and his starring role for France in the Euros, cemented his place among the modern superstars of the game.
He gets the nod over Neymar on the left wing because of his form and his importance to Atletico as well.
Lionel Messi – RW
Leo Messi would make most combined XIs he’s involved in. When you’re one of the best in the world that is not normally a problem. The team are very reliant on him as any team would be if he played for them.
His season has gotten off to a flier after a disappointing summer with Argentina and this could be one of his best scoring seasons yet if he remains fit.
Luis Suarez – ST
Luis Suarez is arguably the best striker in the world right now. Many are even suggesting he should be a contender ff not the favourite for this year’s Ballon d’ Or. He and Messi seem to have a telepathic connection when they play on the pitch.
Suarez scored a hat-trick in his very first game this season and always seems to have the knack scoring att least two in every game. Atleti’s toughest assignment will be stopping the Uruguayan today.
