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Who: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
What: Spanish soccer’s La Liga
The place: Metropolitano Stadium
When: Saturday, April 5, at 9pm (19:00 GMT).
Find out how to comply with: We’ll have all of the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT upfront of our stay textual content commentary stream.

Barcelona winger Raphinha’s premature harm heaps additional strain on teenage star Lamine Yamal forward of the membership’s triple-header towards Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish champions go to Atletico on Saturday as they bid to keep up and even prolong their lead on the high of La Liga, earlier than two additional video games towards Diego Simeone’s group within the Champions League quarterfinals.

Barca have already confronted Atletico 3 times this season, beating them in La Liga in December however falling within the Copa del Rey semifinal over two legs.

With out Raphinha, out with a hamstring harm till Might, the onus shall be on 18-year-old winger Yamal to supply the magic Barca must proceed on two fronts within the approaching, inevitably intense battles with Atletico.

Yamal performed for Spain this week in a goalless draw towards Egypt in Cornella at Espanyol’s stadium, which was notable for Islamophobic chanting from the house supporters that {the teenager}, a Muslim, condemned.

“To those that sing these items: utilizing a faith as a type of mockery on a pitch reveals you up as ignorant and racist,” wrote Yamal on social media.

Yamal has proven maturity past his years since bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old, together with starring for Spain as they received Euro 2024 and blossoming additional nonetheless as Barca claimed a home treble final season.

The teenager, usually in comparison with one other graduate from Barca’s La Masia youth academy, Lionel Messi, appears to avoid wasting his finest performances for the largest events.

Yamal netted six occasions for Barca in his final seven matches throughout all competitions, and the Catalan giants will hope he can proceed that type into the ultimate section of the season.

He admitted in February that he has not been glad this season, partially on account of a long-running groin harm, however these days feels higher.

“I’ve that need to smile on the pitch that I haven’t had for a very long time, and I’m very glad, now I’m glad enjoying,” stated Yamal after scoring the primary hat-trick of his profession, towards Villarreal.

In current weeks, Barca have been depending on the ahead in assault and goalkeeper Joan Garcia on the different finish.

Strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have struggled for constant type, whereas Marcus Rashford has fallen considerably out of favour.

Raphinha’s harm opens the door for the England worldwide, on mortgage from Manchester United, to start out on the left once more.

Yamal’s urgent and off-the-ball work is a wonderful instance for Rashford, who regardless of his sturdy contribution when it comes to assists, generally lacks the relentless vitality and focus Hansi Flick desires from his forwards.

Simeone’s Atletico, fourth by a distance from fifth-place Actual Betis, have little to play for within the league however will wish to construct momentum earlier than Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Camp Nou.

The La Liga showdown is a preview of the sequence within the Champions League quarterfinals between the Spanish golf equipment.

It will likely be the primary of three video games between Barcelona and Atletico in 10 days. The Spanish rivals will face one another 5 occasions in lower than two months. In addition they met within the semifinals of the Copa del Rey in February and March, when Atletico superior to the ultimate 4-3 on combination.

The Champions League video games shall be on Wednesday in Barcelona and on April 14 in Madrid. Barcelona is trying to make it to the Champions League semifinals for the second season in a row, and Atletico is searching for to get again to the final 4 for the primary time since 2017.

Stat assault – Barcelona

25.3 – The typical age of the Barca squad is the youngest within the league: 25.3.

What occurred the final time Atletico Madrid confronted Barcelona?

Barcelona had been 3-0 winners within the final assembly between the edges, the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal in March.

The primary leg, nevertheless, was received 4-0 by Atletico.

What occurred within the final La Liga assembly?

Barcelona had been 3-1 winners within the reverse fixture within the league earlier this season.

What occurred within the corresponding fixture final season?

Barcelona had been 4-2 winners within the La Liga fixture at Atletico, regardless of the house facet taking a two-goal lead.

Robert Lewandowski started the Barca comeback along with his facet’s first aim, which got here within the 72nd minute.

Head-to-head

This would be the 252nd assembly between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, with Atletico successful 80 occasions and Barca claiming the spoils in 114 of the conferences.

Atletico Madrid group information

Marcos Llorente and Johnny Cardoso are each suspended for the match.
Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza have thigh and ankle accidents, respectively, and also will miss out.

Barcelona group information

In addition to Raphinha, Barca are additionally more likely to be with out Frenkie de Jong on the weekend, however Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde might be able to return after harm.