Barcelona is preparing for a heavyweight clash when it hosts Atlético Madrid in the top match of the 28th round of La Liga this season.
Barcelona leads the Spanish league standings with 57 points, ahead of second-place Real Madrid on goal difference and one point ahead of third-place Atlético Madrid, with a game in hand against Osasuna.
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The Argentine spoke about this match, with Atlético Madrid seeking a victory over Barcelona to restore their hopes of competing for the La Liga title after being eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid and losing to Getafe in the final minutes of the last round.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” although Simeone is fully aware of Barcelona’s offensive capabilities, led by Lamine Yamal and Rafinha, the Argentine is not primarily concerned about them in this match.
On the contrary, Simeone is focused on stopping the Catalan team’s most influential player, Pedri, in these crucial moments. The Argentine coach is well aware of the Spaniard’s importance in pressure situations and knows that his ability to deliver decisive passes could be the deciding factor in the match.
Simeone’s instructions to his players were clear, emphasizing the need to prevent Pedri from passing the ball behind the defense. The coach said, “Pedri can’t put a single ball behind us. We have to cover him no matter what.” These instructions come at a crucial time, as Simeone realizes that any opportunity Barcelona might gain thanks to his experienced players could be pivotal in determining the team’s fate in the La Liga title race.
Containing Pedri is a key step toward Atlético Madrid’s return to the competition. If Simeone’s team can keep the Spanish magician under tight control during the match, it could be the key to a very important victory for his side.
