Preview Barcelona Vs Atletico Madrid: 3 Keys To Los Colchoneros To Beat The Blaugrana

Koke (@koke_koke)

JAKARTA - Atletico Madrid will try to beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the La Liga meeting which takes place on Saturday. There are three factors that can make Los Colchoneros one step closer to the title.

Marcos Llorente's ingenuity

Marcos Llorente has the potential to become La Liga's best player this season, and on Saturday afternoon, this hardworking must be at his best.

Llorente's total of 22 goals contribution (12 goals and 10 assists) is the most among all Atlético players. And Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas is the only other player to hit double figures in goals and assists this season.

Against a saggy and error-prone Barcelona defense, Llorente should have the chance to do his best - teaming up with full-backs, creating space and appearing in dangerous areas.

Llorente did this against Elche at Martínez Valero, where Atlético picked up three crucial points thanks to the star midfielder's first-half winner.

The role of Koke in midfield

The Atlético captain is enjoying an outstanding season despite only managing a total of three goal contributions (with one at Cádiz on 31 January). But no Atleti player currently has more goals against Barcelona than Koke, with three.

Additionally, few players - let alone midfielders - in La Liga have made more passes than Koke.

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- Atlético de Madrid (Atleti) May 4, 2021

The 29-year-old has looked comfortable in control of the Atlético midfield for most of the season. If Simeone permits, Koke will play in a more creative role closer to the penalty area. He will be joining Llorente and Kieran Trippier more frequently on the right.

Koke acting as the initiator of the three forwards will be key to bypassing Sergio Busquets in Barcelona's midfield and stretching the Blaugrana's vulnerable defense.

The right tandem for Luis Suárez

The return of El Pistolero to Camp Nou as an Atlético player is the most interesting storyline here (aside from title implications of course). Suárez has netted 19 goals this season, and despite his love for his old club, he is likely highly motivated to score his 20th and potentially knock his former team-mate out of the title race.

However, Simeone must ensure that the 34-year-old striker has adequate support. Suárez thrived when several of his teammates were around him, close to the penalty area. An example from last weekend - even though he missed a shot, Suárez came into action after lovely interactions with Mario Hermoso and Ángel Correa.

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- Atlético de Madrid (Atleti) May 4, 2021

Seeing the number of assists, it could be Llorente who will meet Suárez in tomorrow's match. However, all decisions rests with Simeone.