Barcelona out for Blood Against Atletico Madrid in Season's First Big Clash

A mixture of revenge and reassertion. Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-final stage by Atletico Madrid last season, and the teams' meeting in the fifth week of the season is a chance for Luis Enrique’s side to restore what they see as the natural order.

It was eighth-time lucky for Diego Simeone in that clash on April 13, with Atletico winning 2-0 to stun Barcelona, with his Asturian counterpart having emerged triumphant on the seven previous occasions they had faced off as coaches of their current clubs.

The first time they met was January 11, 2015, in a game that shaped Barcelona’s season. All three members of the MSN trio—Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar—scored, as the Catalans got their season back on track after a defeat by Real Sociedad that threatened to derail them for good.

Perhaps as a follow on from that game, Barcelona have played with a certain relish against Atletico, one necessary to deal with Simeone’s aggressive tactics and the high work-rate of his team.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

There have been several memorable encounters, including a 3-2 win for Barcelona in Madrid that saw Arda Turan so enraged he flung his shoe at the linesman, before later joining his opponents.

Neymar has proven to be a source of provocation over the last couple of years for Atletico, and one of the likely points of interest on Wednesday will be their treatment of him.

The Brazilian came under fire last week for his flicks and tricks against Leganes as Barcelona won 5-1, but why shouldn’t he show off his skills?

Simeone thought the same, surprisingly praising the Barcelona forward, even for his extra-curricular activities like making his own song. Per Marca, he said: 

"

He is a player that I love, with personality. Everyone has their own style and he has his. [Spanish media] have criticised him for his private life, for the singing and dancing, but I love it. He responds to it where he needs to respond—on the pitch. Neymar is extraordinary because has gone to the Olympics and has won, taken a long vacation and still returned to Barcelona in perfect condition.

"

However, despite their coach's praise, you can bet Juanfran and Diego Godin will be out to teach Neymar a lesson.

Juanfran has already prefaced this clash by saying, per Sport: “He’s behaved in the same way since he was young. Personally I wouldn’t do some of the things which he does.” 

That said, last season it was Filipe Luis’ thigh-high lunge on Messi that upset Barcelona, sent Luis Enrique into a fit of rage on the touchline and earned the full-back a red card. 

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Barcelona’s coach hasn’t wanted to talk about the league table so far in his press conferences because none of the big sides had yet faced each other, and this clash at Camp Nou is the first major battle of the season between two title contenders. 

Although Simeone is renowned for his defensive tactics, early indications are he will utilise an attacking lineup against Barcelona, with Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Carrasco utilised in attack.

Sport reported in training he utilised the following team: Jan Oblak, Juanfran, Stefan Savic, Godin and Filipe as the back five; Gabi, Saul and Koke in midfield; and the forward line as above.

Of course, it could easily be something he changes for the game, but perhaps playing with good counter-attacking players like that pacy trio up front will help Atletico. Griezmann and Carrasco are used to the coach’s work-rate demands and will be able to plug away as Simeone likes, while Gameiro too is becoming aware of the requirements to be part of this coach’s team.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

If he does’t pull his weight, then Fernando Torres will step in. The veteran striker claimed, after his side thrashed Sporting Gijon 5-0 at the weekend, that this is a good time for Atletico to play Barcelona.

"It's great that we're all getting among the goals, and that those who have come into the side bring something to the team,” he said, per AS.  “Now is a good time for us to play Barcelona. They are the toughest rivals we have had in the last few years and there is never an ideal time to visit Camp Nou, but now's as good as any as we are full of confidence.”

Luis Enrique’s rotations in the first few weeks of the season mean his team are coming into this game with the first XI in good health, with no surprises expected from the coach.

There is just one position in doubt—Samuel Umtiti or Javier Mascherano to be Gerard Pique’s centre-back partner. 

Mascherano has the intensity and knowledge to play this game, having impressed against Atletico before, but his form has not been good.

Umtiti, meanwhile, has played very well during the start to this season and he is faster than Mascherano, so he can help deal with Atletico’s speedy strikers.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Beyond that, expect Barcelona’s strongest team, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba filling out the back five, the usual midfield of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta in midfield, then the MSN up front.

Busquets and Roberto were rested against Leganes at the weekend, with the former left out of the squad entirely and the latter benched.

Barcelona’s attacking trident have been in fine fettle, notching nine goals between the three of them in the first four league matches of the season, while Atletico Madrid have conceded just one, typically mean at the back.

When Atletico beat Barcelona in April, they were aided by their opponents' slovenliness, with the three forwards having returned from South America to play in World Cup qualifiers the previous week, among other problems.

While taking credit away from Atletico for this victory would be wrong, it definitely had an effect on Barcelona’s game and they will not be suffering from any such issues this time around.

So we will discover on Wednesday night if Simeone really has discovered the formula to crack Barcelona’s dominance over his side, or if normal service will resume. Either way, it should be a thrilling encounter, with both sides looking to strike the first real blow in the title race.

Rik Sharma is Bleacher Report's lead Barcelona correspondent. All information and quotes obtained firsthand unless specified. Follow him on Twitter here: @riksharma_.