Ferran, Rashford start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

With the international break out of the way, FC Barcelona are back in action tonight as they take on Atletico Madrid in a La Liga encounter at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

With the decisive stretch of the season set to kick off, the Blaugrana will be eager to get started on a winning note and generate momentum, ahead of the crucial UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie against the same opposition over the coming week.

Barça and Atleti have already clashed thrice this season, with the former winning twice and the latter once, although that one defeat cost Hansi Flick & co. a spot in the Copa del Rey final.

But the reigning league champions go into the game boosted by the returns of key defenders Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde, and Alejandro Balde, although Raphinha has been ruled out. Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen remain unavailable as well.

Heading into the game, Barcelona hold a four-point advantage over second-placed Real Madrid in La Liga. But with Los Blancos playing Mallorca earlier in the afternoon, that lead could be reduced to one, making it pivotal for the table-toppers to come away with a win.

With that being said, here’s how Flick is likely to set his Barcelona team up against Diego Simeone’s side at the Metropolitano later tonight.

Defence

Fresh off his national team debut for Spain, Joan Garcia will guard the goal for Barcelona, hoping to fare better than he did on his last visit to the Metropolitano, when the team conceded four goals in the first half.

Meanwhile, in defence, Eric Garcia is all set to come back into the lineup, slotting in at right-back ahead of Jules Kounde, who is returning after over a month out of action.

Despite Alejandro Balde’s return, Joao Cancelo is expected to retain his place on the left side of the defence after a string of impressive performances over the past few weeks.

Joao Cancelo will start again at left-back. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

At the heart of the defence, there is no looking past the pair of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin, with the latter having proven his worth with solid and reliable displays in a makeshift role.

Midfield

With Frenkie de Jong still unavailable, there is not much room to manoeuvre for Hansi Flick as far as his midfield personnel is concerned.

As such, Pedri, who is a guaranteed starter week in week out, will once again be partnered with teenage prodigy Marc Bernal, who has hit his stride and grown in stature in recent weeks with regular minutes.

Gavi and Marc Casado will be options off the bench for Flick.

As for the No. 10 position, while Dani Olmo is a strong candidate, Fermin Lopez’s overall form and contribution should see him edge out his compatriot for the starting berth.

Attack

Moving ahead, Raphinha’s absence creates a notable vacancy on the left flank that will be hard to fill. The responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Marcus Rashford, whose form has been a bit up and down in the second half of the season.

On the opposite flank, there is simply no looking past the influential figure of Lamine Yamal, who will have a huge say in the outcome of the contest.

Despite going through a prolonged goal drought, Ferran Torres is set to get the nod as the No. 9 in place of Robert Lewandowski, who is coming off a disappointing international break where he played both games for Poland but failed to secure World Cup qualification.