Media League is put into play this afternoon (16:15 hours) in the Barça-Athletic (follow the game live on AS.com). You could even say that, if the rojiblancos win, it would be a little more. But the day closes with a Real Madrid-Seville, so the winner will still have to row after today, more in this crazy League, and even supplicate for stumble of the whites if the winner is Barça, which since last week no longer depends on itself to be champion.
Javier Thebes must be happy. The second, and hopefully the last, Pandemic League, is going to close successfully and with a few dose of emotion unknown decades ago. Four teams on a fist and two direct duels for the title. A competition that will be won almost in the photo-finish and a big game at the Camp Nou. Barcelona, 74 points, and Atlético de Madrid, 76, They have come here by different paths. The Catalans, hungover from the 2-8 of Lisbon and Messi's burofax, began stumbling until Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned after the motion of no confidence. Shortly after, Messi was activated and, around him, that youth generation (Araújo, Mingueza, Dest, Pedri, De Jong), who started a comeback which was also joined by good moment Veteran's way, like Sergio Busquets Y Sunrise, and the best Griezmann. The sorpasso it was not culminated by the unexpected skid against Granada.
The Athletic went full blast, riding the good wave of the goals from Suárez and of the Llorente energy. Signed a gorgeous first lap and taught muscle and template. Also a more aesthetic football, as the historically critical of Simeone claimed so much. The championship, however, it began to make long. The injuries arrived, the COVID and the Suárez slump. And the last few weeks has been agonizing, with Oblak saving two points against him Alaves in a penalty from Joselu, and becoming a giant to annoy Fidel against Elche. So even though I get to saturated finish, arrives. Is he last effort and the stage remembers great things. Godín's auction and the 2014 title, an emotional memory that means a lot for the Atléticos, who were aware of having recovered the greatness lost for decades, relegation to Second Division included.
The match points to wonderful thriller. It is announced good weather and on the field they will all be the artists: Piqué, De Jong, Messi (26 goals in 29 league games against Atlético), Pedri, Oblak, Savic, Lemar, Llorente … special meaning in order to two footballers.
After enduring an avalanche of criticism, Griezmann carry Playing a couple of months to a very high level. Decisive In the last important games, he came to Barça for appointments like this. Carry 14 goals and 10 assists since 2021 started. And then there is Luis Suarez. History of Barça, he left being the third top scorer of the story, ahead of Kubala himself and only behind César and, obviously, his friend, Messi, who was deeply hurt by the Barça club with the Uruguayan. They have spent a few months. The wound has healed. The links Come in Argentine and Uruguayan They are very strong, but today there will be no mate. At least until the end of the game. For Suárez, this match is a personal vindication and, at will, few win the Uruguayan
The equipment They have prepared the game in the middle of a fabulous atmosphere of camaraderie in the locker room. The Athletic was of roast the last week and the Barça, from reckless party at Messi's house to celebrate the Cup and join forces for LaLiga. Alone Koeman will be missing who, sanctioned, will not be able to watch the game from the grass. The Dutchman lived crazy Barça-Atlético matches, until one of very bad memories in which they won 0-3 at the Calderón and the colchoneros turned him around. So know that there is nothing written in football. The dutch will bet for 3-5-2 what Simeone will confront him same drawing. Individual duels, passion in abundance. And Messi against Oblak. Big game, long live LaLiga.