Barcelona dressing room tensed about Atletico Madrid tie after gruelling win in La Liga – here’s why
Barcelona dressing room tensed about Atletico Madrid tie after gruelling win in La Liga – here’s why The atmosphere inside the Barcelona dressing room is one of maximum tension following a gruelling encounter against Atletico Madrid in La Liga. While the recent victory provided a massive boost to their La Liga title claim , it has left the squad deeply concerned about the upcoming two-legged Champions League quarter-final. According to Diario SPORT , the Barcelona players were surprised by the sheer aggressiveness displayed by Diego Simeone’s side, leading many to believe that a tactical and physical war is on the horizon.
The fear of a “war” at Camp Nou Inside the locker room, there is a strong belief that Atletico intentionally raised the intensity in their league clash – even with a lineup full of substitutes – to prepare the ground for the European battle. The Barça players fear that if the referee does not maintain strict control over the match, the high-intensity style favoured by the Colchoneros could shift the momentum in their favour. Barcelona are Atleti will look to frustrate them at Camp Nou.
(Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) The squad expects a very tough first leg at the Spotify Camp Nou, where they anticipate Atletico will sit deep and utilise every trick in the book, including systematic time-wasting, to frustrate Hansi Flick’s side. The mandate among the players is clear: they must attempt to decide, or at least heavily tilt, the tie in the first leg. There is a collective anxiety about leaving the result up for grabs in the return leg, especially given the concerns regarding the pitch quality at the Metropolitano.
The surface was again deemed far from ideal for Barcelona’s fluid, possession-based style during their recent visit. Furthermore, the squad is still hurting from their earlier exit in the Copa del Rey at the hands of Simeone’s men and is eager to make amends on the continental stage. While the players remain convinced of their footballing superiority, they understand that surviving the upcoming battle requires total mental discipline.