Sitting second in the UEFA Champions League table, Barcelona hope to secure not only a Round of 16 bye but a top-four position as they meet Serie A side Atalanta in their league-phase finale.
The Blaugrana survived a wild match against Benfica last time out to set themselves up for a triumphant finish to this first stage of the competition. They’re now targeting not just a last-16 spot by finishing in the top eight but also a top-four finish, which would see them given the highest possible seed in the eventual draw.
They have a significant test to pass in that search, however, as opponents Atalanta are themselves desperate for Round of 16 passage, entering this match in seventh.
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The defending Europa League champs have been impressive this season in Europe’s top competition, winning four of their seven games to date and even battling Real Madrid to the end in a narrow 3-2 defeat. They are also in the Serie A title hunt, sitting third behind only Napoli and Inter Milan.
The new sports go to the newest updates and injuries of the team for any of the parties.
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Barcelona hopes that Dani Olmo will soon return from his lesion to the hamstrings, however, the last thing in the league can be a bit early, because the creator of games has still trained again. The same is for Inigo Martínez, who faces his own thigh injury.
Pedri missed the weekend win over Valencia with illness but returned to training ahead of this game, returning to the lineup along with Robert Lewandowski and Gavi following their weekend rest. Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are both done for the season with ACL tears.
Hansi Flick has stayed with Wojciech Szczesny despite his recent mistakes, probably supplanting Iñaki Peña as a long -term holder. Pau Cubarsi has rested, has stayed on the bench with Marc Casado, while Eric García begins as a side and Frenkie de Jong unfolds in the center of the field.
The initial lineage of Barcelona (4-2-3-1, on the left): Szczesny (GK) – Kounde, Araujo, E. Garcia, Balde – de Jong, Pedri – Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha – Lewandowski.
Injured: Olmo (Ischio-Legs), I. Martínez (Ischio-Legs), Bernal (ACL), Ter Stegen (ACL). Hanging: none.
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The two recurring injuries for the main coach of Atalanta, Gian Piero Gasperini, to face defender Odilon Ksoouou and striker Gianluca Scamacca. Kossounou fell two weeks ago with an adductor lesion and a vital time is lost, while Scamacca is not yet in a position to return from his LCA injury for a few more months.
More significantly, Ademola Lookman suffered a knee injury during a training session on Monday and misses out. They do get a boost, though, as Marten de Roon has proven fit to start over potential fill-in Marco Brescianini despite being withdrawn at halftime of their weekend win over Como.
Charles De Ketelaere started on the bench against Como hoping for some rest, but was needed in the second half. No issue, as he returns to the XI here regardless.
Atalanta starting lineup (3-5-2, right to left): Carnesecchi (GK) — Hien, Djimsiti, Kolasinac — Zappacosta, de Roon, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri — Retegui, De Ketelaere.
Injured: Kossounou (hamstring), Scamacca (ACL), Lookman (knee).Suspended: None.
MORE: Latest Champions League standings | Preview Barcelona vs. Atalanta with picks & predictions
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Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.