Atlético de Madrid (3rd, 56 points) will host FC Barcelona (2nd, 57 points) in a crucial matchup for the 2024-25 La Liga season on Matchday 28. This highly anticipated clash will take place at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 9 PM CET, aligning with various time zones including 8 PM GMT (UK), 4 PM ET, 1 PM PT (USA), and 1:30 AM IST (India, Monday).
As the match approaches, both teams are dealing with injuries and doubts. For Barcelona, key players such as Marc-André ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen are confirmed to be out. Additionally, Marc Bernal is also sidelined, while Ansu Fati remains a doubt for the match. On the other hand, Atlético Madrid will miss Ángel Correa, with Rodrigo De Paul, Koke, and Reinildo listed as doubts heading into this pivotal fixture.
Following a commanding victory over Benfica that secured their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals, Barcelona travels to the Spanish capital for what is arguably the biggest match of the La Liga season. The significance of this game cannot be overstated, as it could have a considerable impact on the title race. Currently, Barcelona holds a slim one-point lead over Atlético Madrid and has a game in hand, meaning a win could extend their advantage to four points. Furthermore, if they secure a victory by two or more goals, they will also gain the head-to-head tiebreaker.
This match is a potential knockout blow to Atlético Madrid's title ambitions. As the Colchoneros prepare to welcome their rivals with a fervent home crowd, they will treat this encounter as a cup final, striving to overtake Barça in the standings and keep their championship hopes alive as the season approaches its final international break.
Diego Simeone and his squad are looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss on penalties to Real Madrid that eliminated them from the Champions League. In contrast, Barcelona comes into this match with a rest advantage, having played one day earlier. However, the physical and mental toll of Atlético's recent 120 minutes of play cannot be overlooked. Historically, Atlético Madrid has shown resilience in adversity, often using such moments to fuel their performance.
The talent on display will be significant, with Julián Álvarez enjoying a standout season in 2025. Supported by a solid defensive unit, Atlético presents a dual threat on offense and defense. Meanwhile, Barcelona must be prepared for a fierce contest, taking lessons from their recent Copa del Rey encounter, which ended in a dramatic 4-4 draw. In that match, Atlético scored twice early and twice late, despite being dominated for the majority of the game. Thus, Barcelona cannot afford to lose focus for even a moment.
As both teams prepare for the match, here are the anticipated lineups:
Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Olmo; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Lenglet, Galán; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Álvarez
Expect Atlético Madrid to come out strong, attempting to catch Barcelona off guard early in the match. However, I anticipate that Barça will manage the game effectively, leveraging their fitness advantage to take control in the second half. My prediction is a 2-1 victory for the Catalans, marking a significant step toward their title aspirations.
