Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid; Spanish La Liga
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid. Spanish La Liga.
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Barcelona v Atletico Madrid preview: Samuel Umtiti ruled out of Nou Camp clash
Wednesday 21 September 2016 21:09, UK
Samuel Umtiti has been ruled out of Barcelona's vital La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday because of a knee-ligament strain.
"Umtiti suffered a lateral collateral ligament strain in his left knee during training this morning," a club statement read.
The France international's absence opens the door for Javier Mascherano to return alongside Gerard Pique at the heart of the Barca defence.
Both sides come into the game in free-scoring form after hitting five past Leganes and Sporting Gijon, respectively.
However, Luis Enrique believes Atletico will revert to type when they travel to the Catalonia and rely on their watertight defence to try and hold out against Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
"Many teams now defend deep against Atletico and give them the ball, so they are obliged to play more in tight spaces. I don't expect that against us," Enrique said.
"They can press high or, without doubt, they are the best team at defending close to their own area. That explains the complexities in playing against Atletico Madrid.
"They are one of the best teams in La Liga and clearly a contender for all the titles as always in Simeone's reign."
Barca's two wins over Atletico in La Liga last season proved decisive in the title race as Simeone's men finished just three points adrift of the champions in third.
However, Atletico had their revenge by eliminating Barca in the Champions League for the second time in three years.
"There hasn't been an easy game against Atletico Madrid in the past few years," Luis Enrique added. "They are a direct title rival and these are three very important points."
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