Barca can kill doubts with win over Atletico
Barcelona need to make a statement. A big win to boost the project's morale. The Blaugrana have generated more doubt than enthusiasm in their first two games after the World Cup. Drawing with Espanyol and scraping past Intercity. Beyond the results, the feelings have not been great either. The team seems blocked, with some holes. Xavi was not happy after the cup, saying they lacked strength in both boxes. The coach wantd his defence to be more aggressive and his attack to be more efficient. Two problems to solve immediately.
Because Atletico await. It's not a game that will decide La Liga but it is important to evaluate Barcelona's chances of winning it. Without Robert Lewandowski, suspended, Barcelona will have to look for new attacking reference points. It seems Ansu Fati will start. He needs confidence and minutes to show he's over his injury problems. Against Atletico he will have an extra-ordinary opportunity to end the debate over his present and future. Ansu needs to find goals again just like Barca need to be revived too. And they could achieve this together.
La Liga this season seems a race between Madird and Barca. Any slip up can be penalised heavily. Barca drew in the derby and that allowed Madrid to level them on points. Now Madrid have slipped against Villarreal and Barca can move three points ahead. They have to take advantage of it.
Winning at the Metropolitano would be the best way to end the doubts. The perfect antidote to Cules' unease. The Barca that Xavi is constructing needs titles to validate the project. The big objective is, without doubt, the league. With a win today, nothing is guaranteed. But the morale boost could be decisive.
