Barcelona s seemingly indestructible attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have questions to answer on Tuesday night at Camp Nou.
Atletico Madrid come to town for the first leg of the Champions League quarter final just days after ‘MSN’ fired blanks in Saturday’s El Clasico defeat.
The 2-1 loss to Real Madrid may not reopen the title race as such, given Barcelona’s commanding lead over both Aletico and Real, but it has raised the first questions over the trident’s big game temperament.
The Rojiblancos will arrive with Diego Simeone’s trademark defensive structure and intensity, making it very tough for the Catalans to break them down.
Atleti have conceded just 15 goals in La Liga this season, fewer than any other side.
Only Real Madrid with 89 goals have netted more than Barcelona’s 87.
Messi, Suarez and Neymar will have to work incredibly hard as Atleti will be buoyed by knocking the Blaugrana out at this stage en-route to the final two years ago.
Not since a 0-0 draw in the Catalan derby against Espanyol back in January have all three been on the pitch together and failed to score.
Luis Enrique, who saw his side’s 39 game unbeaten streak ended at the weekend, was first to defend his prized assets after drawing blanks citing that not scoring in El Clasico does not make them bad players overnight.
“It is out of place and unfair to criticise them for 15 minutes. For me they played alright,” he said.
Enrique himself wasn’t immune to the post-match criticism either.
The decision to substitute Ivan Rakitic and replace him with Arda Turan contributed to the loss of control in the game according to some.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo were given a lot of room down Barcelona’s right as a result too.
With Messi starting 36 times this season, Neymar 38 and Suarez 43, the trio are often on the pitch at the same time.
They face big pressure to bounce back against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Bron: Marca
