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Attendance: 90,356
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Mar 4, 2018 at 3.15pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

1-0

Messi (26')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Team News: Philippe Coutinho, Gerard Pique restored to Barcelona XI

Team News: Coutinho, Pique restored to Barcelona XI
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Philippe Coutinho and Gerard Pique return to Barcelona's starting lineup for the crunch clash against Atletico Madrid, as Ernesto Valverde makes four changes to his side.

Philippe Coutinho and Gerard Pique have returned to Barcelona's starting lineup for this afternoon's crunch La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid.

The pair were named on the bench for the trip to Las Palmas three days ago with this top-of-the-table showdown in mind, as Barca attempt to protect their five-point advantage at the summit.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has also recalled Ivan Rakitic in midfield and Jordi Alba at full-back following his return from suspension, meaning that Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi will continue to work in tandem up top.

There is another start for Sergi Roberto on the opposite flank to Alba, meanwhile, as Nelson Semedo is expected to spend the next five weeks on the sidelines with an injury.

As far as the visitors are concerned, they are without defender Stefan Savic due to minor injury, but Lucas Hernandez is fit enough for a place among the subs.

Diego Simeone has gone with a front-two pairing of Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa, with the former aiming to build on an impressive run that has seen him net seven goals in his last two games and 15 times overall in the league this term.

Atleti boss Simeone has never previously beaten Barcelona in 12 attempts, although he did see his side claim a 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano in the reverse fixture.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Coutinho, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez
Subs: Cillessen, Paulinho, Dembele, Digne, Gomes, Paco, Vermaelen

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Luis; Saul, Thomas, Gabi, Koke; Griezmann, Costa
Subs: Werner, Correa, Gameiro, Lucas, Torres, Juanfran, Vitolo

Follow all of the action as it unfolds in Catalonia with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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