MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 13:33:58| >> :60:755:755:
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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
1Atletico MadridAtletico19135134122244
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona198472725228
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196762123-225
11Osasuna196762328-525
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Getafe194781316-319
16Leganes194781829-1119
17AlavesAlaves1945102131-1017
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Real ValladolidValladolid1943121337-2415
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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