The ambiance contained in the Barcelona dressing room is certainly one of most rigidity following a gruelling encounter towards Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
Whereas the latest victory offered a , it has left the squad deeply involved concerning the upcoming two-legged Champions League quarter-final.
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Based on , the Barcelona gamers had been shocked by the sheer aggressiveness displayed by Diego Simeone’s facet, main many to consider {that a} tactical and bodily warfare is on the horizon.
The worry of a “warfare” at Camp Nou
Contained in the locker room, there’s a sturdy perception that Atletico deliberately raised the depth of their league conflict – even with a lineup filled with substitutes – to organize the bottom for the European battle.
The Barça gamers worry that if the referee doesn’t preserve strict management over the match, the high-intensity fashion favoured by the Colchoneros might shift the momentum of their favour.
Barcelona are Atleti will look to frustrate them at Camp Nou. (Picture by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Photos)
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The squad expects a really robust first leg on the Spotify Camp Nou, the place they anticipate Atletico will sit deep and utilise each trick within the ebook, together with systematic time-wasting, to frustrate Hansi Flick’s facet.
The mandate among the many gamers is obvious: they need to try to resolve, or at the very least closely tilt, the tie within the first leg.
There’s a collective nervousness about leaving the end result up for grabs within the return leg, particularly given the issues concerning the pitch high quality on the Metropolitano.
The floor was once more deemed removed from ultimate for Barcelona’s fluid, possession-based fashion throughout their latest go to.
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Moreover, the squad remains to be hurting from their earlier exit within the Copa del Rey by the hands of Simeone’s males and is keen to make amends on the continental stage.
Whereas the gamers stay satisfied of their footballing superiority, they perceive that surviving the upcoming battle requires complete psychological self-discipline.