Preposterous to suggest Iniesta as a sub, hes a proven big game player. Regarding Neymar, another big game player, unless he can't run, we should expect him in the starting XI as well.
A massive game for both teams, but from the perspective of Atleti, a loss for them has potential to put them behind by 6 points, truly though, it would be 7 considering the H2H advantage we would hold. Even a draw wouldn't be ideal for them as that has potential to put them behind by 3 points, truly 4 if again the H2H is considered. Indeed, the season is long, but for their title campaign, I think only a win out of this game is something they can be proud of.
With that said, I don't think they will sit back as much against us and hope to get a goal late. They'll press and play a similar line to that of the 2nd leg in the Copa last season. If we play to the level of which we are capable, we will definitely create chances, and at that point it'll come down to our finishing.
Some statistics regarding this match:
- Atleti's record in their last 12 Liga games at the Camp Nou 2W 2D 8L ( Last win 2006)
- Atleti have the best defense in La Liga, having conceded only 8 goals
- Barcelona have won 5 straight games vs Atleti in all competitions, scoring 10 and conceding 4
- In the Diego Simeone era, his side has managed a clean sheet three times against Barcelona (14 games)
- Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 25 matches in all competitions
- Barcelona have yet to lose a home game at the Camp Nou in this league season, and in each game, they have held a lead.
