Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Atalanta | UEFA Champions League | OneFootball

The new UEFA Champions League format has well and truly changed the game. From pointless final match-days to one that will see giants playoff in must-win situations, the league stage has been a success.

Barcelona, however, could not be more oblivious to the importance of the final round as they have already booked their place in the Round of 16 after the stunning comeback win over Benfica.

On the final of eight match-days in the league, Hansi Flick and Co. lock horns with Atalanta at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The only possible scenario they are fighting for is to overtake Liverpool in the standings if they slip up.

Having put seven goals past Valencia at the weekend, the Blaugrana enter the clash in imperious form. A win over Atalanta would be the perfect end to what has been a fabulous league-stage campaign in the UCL.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Atalanta.

An immaterial fixture

Barcelona’s rough start to the UEFA Champions League can well be explained by the team going down a man in just the tenth minute of the game and the uphill battle they faced thereafter.

Since then, however, Hansi Flick’s side have been on fire in Europe and the standings are a testament to the same.

Heading into the final of the eight match-days in the league stage of the UEFA Champions League, the Blaugrana are in second place on 18 points.

They have won all of their last six games in the competition and have beaten clubs including Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Benfica along the way.

Their place in the Top 8 is thus locked in ahead of the final matchday and they will qualify directly for the Round of 16 irrespective of the result that unfolds against Atalanta. Given their comfortable situation, the manager may well deem it immaterial.

Barcelona’s situation in La Liga is far from as comfortable and it is clear that the Catalans need to focus more of their resources on the domestic competition.

Flick may thus opt for serious rotations tomorrow and keep his men rested for the upcoming domestic fixtures against Alaves, Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano, and the cup game against Valencia.

The goalkeeper debate settled

Set to start again. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Hansi Flick’s elaborate press conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash saw the German manager address a plethora of topics ranging from the La Liga race to Atalanta’s style of play.

One burning topic he delivered a verdict on, however, was the future of the goalkeeping position going ahead this season.

Since Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending injury early in the season, Inaki Pena looked to have earned the coach’s trust with Wojciech Szczesny not even getting minutes until January.

In recent games, however, the manager has shown confidence in Szczesny across all competitions despite the Polish star’s drastic errors on multiple occasions. Speaking to the media today, he confirmed that Szczesny was the chosen one going ahead.

While it is indeed a massive blow for Pena, it is clear that the manager and his team value the veteran’s experience over Pena’s growth. He will start tomorrow against Atalanta and likely for the majority of the season ahead.

Two attacking monsters

Barcelona’s 7-1 thrashing of Valencia last weekend was significant in the team’s attempt to fight back in La Liga. It was, however a special night even from a statistical standpoint as it was the night the team crossed 100 goals this season.

To achieve the feat just past the halfway mark this term is atrocious and proves why Barcelona is Europe’s most lethal attacking side by far. Tomorrow, they lock horns against one of the next most attacking teams.

Atalanta’s style of football under Gian Piero Gasperini has been breathtaking and inspired especially in attack.

The Italian have scored 18 goals in the UEFA Champions League so far this season and are third on that front, only behind Barcelona (26) and Borussia Dortmund (19). Notably, they have only conceded four goals in the competition compared to Barcelona’s 11.

In Serie A, they have been equally ruthless as they have found the back of the net 48 times in just 22 games and are only behind Inter Milan in that regard.

Given Barcelona’s vibrant style of play and Atalanta’s inspired transitions and link-up sequences, tomorrow’s clash will be a joy to follow and may well be a high-scoring night. Notably, however, Atalanta will be without their star attacker Ademola Lookman.