Barcelona vs Atalanta: Match Preview, Predictions & Lineups

Fixture: Barcelona vs Atalanta

Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Kick-off Time: 20:00 CET

Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona

Competition: UEFA Champions League, Matchday 8

Barcelona welcomes Atalanta in the final round of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The Catalan giants has already qualified for the knockout stage with a stunning six consecutive victories, including a dramatic 5-4 win over Benfica in their last European outing. Atalanta has also secured their place in the next round, earning 14 points from their last seven matches. This is the first meeting between these two clubs in European competition.

• Barcelona vs Atalanta: No previous meetings.
• Barcelona Record vs Italian Clubs: W32 D21 L13.
• Atalanta Record vs Spanish Clubs: W2 D1 L5.
  

• Matches Played: 31
• Wins: 20
• Draws: 8
• Losses: 3
  

• Matches Played: 3
• Wins: 1
• Draws: 1
• Losses: 1
  

• Last 5 Matches (All Competitions): W-W-D-W-W
• Most Recent Result: Barcelona 7-1 Valencia (La Liga)
• Key Stat: Barcelona has scored 12 goals in three home matches during this season’s Champions League campaign, including victories against Bayern (4-1) and Brest (3-0).
  

• Last 5 Matches (All Competitions): W-W-L-D-D
• Most Recent Result: Coma 1-2 Atalanta Serie A)
• Key Stat: Atalanta's 6-1 win at Young Boys earlier in the season was their largest-ever Champions League victory.
  

Formation: Likely 4-3-3 under Hansi Flick.

Key Players:

• Robert Lewandowski: Top scorer in the competition with 9 goals, providing clinical finishing and leadership.
• Raphinha: With 8 goals in this UCL campaign, his dynamism on the wings will challenge Atalanta’s defence.
• Pedri: The midfield maestro controls Barcelona’s tempo and creates chances with his vision.

Injuries/Suspensions:

• Dani Olmo: Ruled out through a strain.
• Iñigo Martínez: Ruled out through a hamstring injury.
• Marc-André ter Stegen: Ruled out through a patellar tendon rupture.
• Marc Bernal: Ruled out through a Cruciate ligament tear.
  

Formation: Likely 3-4-2-1 under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Key Players:

• Charles De Ketelaere: The Belgian forward has 4 goals and 5 assists, making him Atalanta’s most creative player in this campaign.
• Ademola Lookman: With 4 goals, the Nigerian striker provides pace and clinical finishing in the final third.
• Éderson: A midfield enforcer, Éderson is vital in breaking up Barcelona’s attacking play.

Injuries/Suspensions:

• Nicolò Zaniolo: Ruled out through an adductor pain.
• Gianluca Scamacca: Ruled out through a Cruciate ligament tear.
• Odilon Kossounou: Ruled out through an Adductor injury.
  

Barcelona’s attack will rely on their high-pressing style, quick ball circulation, and width provided by Raphinha and Alejandro Balde. Robert Lewandowski will be the focal point in the box, with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong supporting from midfield. Defensively, Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo will need to manage Atalanta’s dynamic forwards.

Atalanta’s system prioritises wing-backs and attacking midfielders to overload the final third. Charles De Ketelaere will aim to exploit spaces between Barcelona’s defence, while Ademola Lookman’s pace will test the home side on the counter. Defensively, Sead Kolašinac and Rafael Tolói will need to be disciplined against Barcelona’s intricate passing game.

Barcelona 3-1 Atalanta

Barcelona’s home advantage and superior attacking depth should prove too much for Atalanta, although the visitors are capable of causing the home side problems in defence. 

Ferran Torres scored against Atalanta in a 4-3 Champions League win for Valencia in the 2019/20 round of 16. Will history repeat itself for Torres in Barcelona colours?

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.