Match Focus: Stretched Atlético's Chance to Make History Against Barcelona

And then there were two...

It just so happens that this particular two will play each other on La Liga’s final day of the season. Barcelona face Atlético Madrid in what promises to be one of the most spectacular showdowns in Spanish football history. If Barcelona win, they will retain the title thanks to a superior head-to-head record, and that will make it nine times that they have won the Liga crown on the final day. If Atleti win or draw, they will win it for the first time since 1996.

If Atleti hadn’t produced such a dismal performance against Málaga last weekend we wouldn’t have had any of this, of course. There was a distinct lack of intensity in that game, though maybe it was to be expected, with their small squad tested to its limits by this stage of the season. The small matter of a Champions League final awaits Atleti too, in a season in which they have played 59 games and have eight players to have played over 4000 minutes already. There is no time for them to catch their breath.

For Barça, meanwhile, they need something to show for a season that has been marred by its mediocrity. Yet despite this dismal campaign, they are still there, in with a chance of a trophy they have become accustomed to winning. A Champions League quarter final, a Copa Del Rey Final and a possible La Liga crown – on paper it doesn’t look so bad. In reality, however, the standards of the club are so high it will be deemed a failure should they end the season without a trophy; it would be the first time they have done so in six years. Change is inevitably coming in the summer, but for the time being there still remains something to play for.

Contrast in style counts

The styles of the teams couldn’t be more contrasting across the course of the season, and so has what their coaches – both of whom are Argentinean – profess. Barça’s build-up this season has often been overly ponderous and lacked the penetration of previous years, despite a prolific start to life under Tata Martino. The intensity and incision their play requires to be successful must be present against Atleti, because their opponents will come at them at 100mph.  Barça will likely be allowed the ball by Atleti if previous meetings this term are anything to go by, and with 67.8% of possession, it’s unsurprising the Catalans top this column in Spain. Accordingly, they too come out on top in terms of short passes, making 609 per game this season. This eclipses second-placed Real Madrid, who manage 472, while Atleti have averaged just 359. A goal tally of 99, however, is proof there is punch to Barça’s pondering though, and Atleti will of course be more than aware of this.

Atleti make their own way to the goal; they use a direct style that has produced 42 goals in open play. They are strong in other areas, though, and show their physical threat with 17 goals from set pieces (the third most in La Liga), while another 8 have come on the counter attack (also third most). Crossing, too, has become a big feature at Atleti, though the Champions League first leg against Chelsea highlighted that too many crosses isn’t necessarily a good thing. In La Liga, meanwhile, Atleti make the fourth most crosses per game (24.7) and given Barça’s well-documented troubles in defence and, in particular, aerially, crosses might well prove key at Camp Nou. When facing aerial bombardment, Atleti themselves are solid, to the extent that they have allowed their opponents the fewest headed attempts in La Liga this season (46).

Individual brilliance

As much as we talk about Atleti’s team ethic, it’s undeniable that individuals throughout the team have had a considerable impact on their fantastic season. Gabi remains an unsung hero in the side, and his 7.56 rating is the 5th highest in La Liga this season with Lionel Messi the only Barcelona player to have scored higher. Gabi’s unrelenting, gritty work in central midfield is key to Atleti. He brings the ball out of defence and plugs any gaps that may appear in the backline.

Then there is Koke, who has developed immeasurably under Simeone, providing no less than 13 assists in La Liga this season, a tally only Ángel Di María (15) can top. WhoScored identifying Koke as having no significant weaknesses, and boasting strengths ranging from passing to tackling, and from through balls to defensive contribution, showing that he has become a Swiss army knife of sorts at Atleti due to his multi-functional ability. Diego Costa meanwhile, has offered up the small matter of 36% of Atleti’s league goals.

For Barça meanwhile, and their deluge of under-performing stars, this game represents a final chance to shine and make amends for what has gone wrong previously. Messi’s season has been poor by his standards, but the numbers he has produced still shine. A 28% goal contribution to Barça’s 99 total is testament to this, and with his 28 goals also come 10 assists. A lack of fitness plus the increased burden on him to create from deep certainly haven’t helped. However, the Argentinean’s season has been anything but simply a disappointment. He’ll be vital at the weekend in creating branches for Barça’s attack to grow from, and it might be this that takes precedence over Messi scoring himself.

Gerard Piqué will need to be focused against a bustling Costa, show positional awareness and as ever be fluid as he plays the ball out of defence. His rating of 7.51 is the 4th highest at Barça this term, and an on-game Piqué is a match for any centre-forward.

From an identity point of view Atleti, have already won one battle, and that’s with themselves. They are here on the last day with the title at stake. Not so long ago this would have been an unthinkable achievement in itself, and yet they are two games away from an historic double. Now they are here, they want it all. Barça meanwhile need to end this era on a note akin to that which preceded it; in glory. The title is there to be won and for history to be made – the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Who do you think will be victorious in this crucial clash to win La Liga? Let us know in the comments below