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Atletico Madrid logo
La Liga | Gameweek 29
Mar 17, 2024 at 8pm UK
Estadio Civitas Metropolitano
Barcelona logo

Atletico
0 - 3
Barcelona


De Paul (46'), Savic (61'), Barrios (89')
Molina (90+2')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Felix (38'), Lewandowski (47'), Lopez (65')
Kounde (33'), Xavi (41')
Xavi (42')

Xavi: 'Joao Felix will be extra-motivated against Atletico Madrid'

Xavi: 'Felix will be extra-motivated against Atletico'
© Reuters
Barcelona head coach Xavi says that Joao Felix will be "extra-motivated" when he comes up against his parent club Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Barcelona head coach Xavi has said that Joao Felix will be "extra-motivated" when he comes up against his parent club Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday night.

The Portugal international scored the only goal of the match earlier this season, as Barcelona recorded a 1-0 victory over Atletico in the reverse La Liga clash on home soil.

Felix is set to come up against his parent club for the second time on Sunday, and Xavi has backed the 24-year-old to cause more misery to the Red and Whites.

"He is tailor-made for the big teams. Joao had a great game in the previous round, he will be important tomorrow," Xavi told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"Personally, I liked the hostile environment. Joao has a strong character and wants to show his talent, which he has a lot of. We will need a lot of personality to win the game.

Barcelona's Joao Felix celebrates scoring their second goal on November 28, 2023© Reuters

"He has all the characteristics to play a great game tomorrow. I see him calm and motivated, extra-motivated. He's coming back to what has been his home.

"He already had a great game in the first round, hopefully he can do it again."

Felix joined Barcelona on loan from Atletico in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, and he has represented the Catalan side on 33 occasions, scoring eight goals and registering five assists.

The Portuguese is attempting to earn a permanent move to the reigning La Liga champions, although much will depend on Atletico's asking price due to Barcelona's well-documented financial problems.

Barcelona's Joao Felix celebrates scoring against Real Betis on September 16, 2023© Reuters

Felix has made 131 appearances for Atletico, scoring 34 goals and registering 18 assists in the process, and he has another five years left to run on his contract at Wanda Metropolitano.

A breakdown in his relationship with head coach Diego Simeone led to him joining Chelsea on loan for the second half of last season, though, and he is now spending more time away from the club.

When asked about Felix during his own pre-match press conference, Simeone told reporters: "I am very respectful of players who play for other teams. I don't normally think about any of them and this is no exception. We played a beautiful game and from that effort, we hope to play a great game."

Felix is seemingly battling Raphinha for a starting role on Sunday evening, with Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski unlikely to lose their spots for the contest.

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Written by
Matt Law
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Draw
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Barcelona
37.4%
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona197472725225
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196752123-225
11Osasuna186752327-425
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
15Leganes194781829-1119
16AlavesAlaves194592131-1017
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Valencia1927101829-1113
20Real ValladolidValladolid1933121337-2412


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