Who could ask for more ahead of start of the season ? La Liga deciding game for the new champion at the Camp Nou is something that we all could only wish for. Barcelona FC welcome Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid who have three points more, but a win for the Catalans would ensure them La Liga title, as the first game in Madrid ended with a 0-0 draw.
Pre Match
Live Streams
May 17, 2014 5:00 PM BST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: Antonio Mateu
Match Highlights & Full Match Replay – available shortly after the game end
Recent weeks in La Liga brought us some big twist as all of the leading three clubs have an opportunity to seal the title, especially in the last two rounds, when Atletico needed only a one more goal against Malaga in the last round and this game against Barcelona would be only a formality. Still, Diego Simeone’s men failed to do so , despite having player less for the last 10 minutes. Good thing for them is that manage to take a draw in the last few minutes.
Xavi claims Barca ‘deserve’ La Liga title
Martino compares Barcelona to aliens
‘Title won’t change my career significantly’ – Martino
Barcelona unexpectedly got a chance to win the title, as Tata Martino’s men have been struggling lately , winning only two of their last five games. A draw at home against Getafe (2-2) was a shocker, where Martino already has lost fate in winning the title, still luckily for the Catalans neither Atletico Madrid nor Real Madrid managed to win the 36th round, so Barca had another opportunity. Once again, they failed as Elche fought off to 0-0 draw. Again, both clubs from Madrid failed to win, with Atletico pulling a draw with Malaga, and Real Madrid losing to Celta 2-0 which ended their title hopes and not only that, they lost Cristiano Ronaldo who finished injured and his Champions league final with Atletico is a doubt.
Simeone on title decider at Barcelona
Speaking of the Champions league, Atletico Madrid reached the final, after smashing Chelsea 3-1 in London, but before that, Atletico knocked Barcelona with a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou which ended two trophy hopes for Barcelona this season. The same they will try to do this Saturday, but Simeone wont attack Barca, as a draw at Camp Nou would be enough for his side to win the league title after 1996.
Messi reflects on ‘complicated’ season
A good news for Diego Simeone is that Diego Costa is expected to be fit for the clash, while Cristian Rodriguez is a doubt. As for the Catalans, Neymar (toe) will start from the bench, while Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba (hamstring) according to Barcelona FC official site will start from the first minute.
Match Prediction : Barcelona shown three times this season that they cant defeat Atletico Madrid. Once in La Liga and twice in Champion league. With such a high stake in question, Simeone’s men will be highly motivated to repeat those games, so we predict a draw here.
Probable team lineups :
Barcelona : Pinto – Dani Alves, Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano – Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta – A.Sanchez, Messi, Pedro
Atletico Madrid : Courtois – Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe – Tiago, Gabi – Koke, Arda Turan – Villa, Diego Costa