Barça v Atlético triple-header: three very different matches in 10 days
Football often throws up curious situations. Such is the case that after the international break, Barça and Atlético Madrid will play each other three times in just 10 days. Having faced each other recently in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, the blaugranes and mattress-makers are going to go head-to-head in quick succession, and you might think that would make the three matches very similar.
It's not exactly the case. You never know how a match is going to go, but there are differences to each game in the three match series.
1 - The first, in LaLiga, with different aims
The first clash will be at the Metropolitano stadium on April 4 (kick-off 9.00pm CEST) to fulfil the LaLiga matchday 30 fixture. The context is clear, but both teams have different aims. For Barça it's a key game towards winning the title, while for Atlético it can help seal third place ahead of Villarreal.
Barça are likely to give it their all, while the home side may manage the load with a view to the games ahead. They will definitely be missing Johnny Cardoso and Marcos Llorente, as they are both suspended.
2 - Champions League first leg, only match at Spotify Camp Nou
The Champions League quarter final first leg will be four days later on April 8 (kick-off 9.00pm CEST). Everything to play for. The Spotify Camp Nou, where Barça have won all 14 games this season, will host the first match of an intriguing knockout round.
Will the Madrid side go for it like in the first leg of the Copa del Rey or will they sit back more as they did in Barcelona in the return leg? And will Barça play with the mindset it's over 180 minutes or go all out as the home side?
There's also the additional ingredient of the players one card away from suspension. For Barça that's Lamine Yamal, Fermín, Gerard Martín and Casadó, while there are more from Atlético – Giuliano, Ruggeri, Barrios, Pubill, Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet and Almada.
3 - The third, the decider at the Metropolitano stadium
This triple-header ends on April 14 where it began, at Atlético Madrid's stadium. There is the threat of players missing due to suspension as mentioned above, but there are other considerations, given there is a LaLiga gameweek in between, with very different matches to be played.
Although it's true that Atlético will have to travel to play Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium, Barça have a tough match, as they welcome Espanyol for the derby. As was the case at the Cornellà stadium, it will be a physically demanding and emotion-filled match, in addition to being another game in the challenge for the title. Atlético Madrid will also have their own trophy quest four days later with the Copa del Rey final.
That's unlikely to be a distraction, but it adds to the workload during a busy schedule. For sure, both teams are facing a triple-header of matches that will define their seasons and there are differences surrounding each match.