Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Napoli midweek was thoroughly deserved as it came off the back of one of the team’s best showings all season.
The Catalans were refreshing in attack and solid defensively, with Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal both influencing the game in unimaginable ways.
The result against the Italians helped Barcelona progress to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2020. Their next game, unfortunately, will only be one notch more difficult.
Xavi’s men now stare Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the eye. Both teams sealed a place in the final eight of the UCL this week, and the results at Civitas Metropolitano will go a long way in boosting their morale for the remainder of the campaign.
The last time the two teams met, the Catalans took three points courtesy of a Joao Felix goal. With the venue now playing in Los Rojiblancos’ favour, it remains to be seen what Xavi has in store.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona.
Reason to believe
Barcelona’s season appeared set to go trophy-less. With La Liga almost out of reach and the UEFA Champions League boasting much stronger contenders, the Catalans were far from any form of silverware this campaign.
The UCL draw earlier this week, however, infused hope in Catalonia and fans across the globe. It gives the team an ever-so-shot hope of making an impression in the biggest competition of them all and maybe just pushing through.
Xavi’s side have been drawn up against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals of the event. Luis Enrique’s side may be the favourites, but it is one of the better draws Barcelona could have asked for from the pool.
PSG are a slightly better-oiled unit, but not one sans flaw. Progressing to the semifinal, thus, is far from impossible and in such a scenario, Barcelona will face one of Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund.
Reaching the final of the UCL, thus, is a possibility if Barcelona…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/three-talking-points-ahead-of-atletico-madrid-vs-barcelona-2/
Author : Adithya Eshwarla
Publish date : 2024-03-16 19:21:36
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