Football in its purest state
Barça host Atletico Madrid tonight (22.00, TV3, La
Sexta and R@dio Barça) at the Camp Nou. This is traditionally one of
the most thrilling games of the season, and Barça have the chance to
beat the league record for consecutive wins.
Barça v Atletico Madrid is one of the classic games of any season, and
one that always generates the highest of expectations. Traditionally, whenever these two sides come
together on the pitch, goals, excitement, passion and spectacle are a certainty. Tonight the Camp
Nou should bear witness to one of the finest football shows around.
Barça also have the chance to make history. If they win tonight, they will set a new record
for consecutive wins, a record they currently share with the Real Madrid team of 1960/61. They have
the chance to make it an incredible 17 wins in a row, a fantastic demonstration of the regularity
that has allowed them to generate a difference of seven points on their closest rivals.
Cup finalists turn back to the league
With qualification for the final of the Copa del Rey in the bag, Barça
now turn their minds back to the league. Guardiola will have to make do without the injured Puyol
and Jeffren, while Iniesta is also looking doubtful. Atletico Madrid are one of Leo Messi’s
favourite victims, against whom he has scored 11 goals in 11 meetings. Against the mattress-makers,
Pedro will be seeking to hit the target for the seventh game in a row.
Unpredictable opposition
Barcelona have been winning games non-stop, but the side from the Vicente Calderón are going
through a most irregular patch. Their torrid January featured one win, two draws and five defeats,
which means they are now well adrift of the Champions League places. But they will be coming to
Barcelona with a strong squad, led by top South American strikers Agüero and Forlán, two players
that have generally done well against the Catalans. Mario Suárez, Raúl García and Perea are the
only players out of Quique Sánchez Flores’ plans for the clash.