Barca face Atleti amid Catalan crisis
Madrid, Oct. 13: The biggest game of the La Liga season so far is shrouded in political tension as Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid on Saturday in their first trip to the Spanish capital since a Catalan independence referendum marred by violence.
Barca played their last match behind closed doors as the October 1 referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government, took place amid chaotic scenes as police seized ballot papers and clashed with voters leaving 92 injured, among nearly 900 who sought medical attention.
Deep divisions remain despite Catalonia president Carles Puigdemont’s decision to suspend the effects of a unilateral declaration of independence on Tuesday.
Only 250 tickets have been made available to away fans at Atletico’s new 68,000 capacity Wanda Metropolitano.
However, many Atletico fans have taken to social media to encourage supporters not to politicise the match by waving Spanish flags by using the hashtag “our flag is red and white” on Twitter.
Despite a series of distractions, including the loss of Neymar to Paris SaintGermain and calls for Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu to resign on top of the Catalonia crisis, Barca have started La Liga with a perfect record after seven games.
That spectacular form has been thanks to Lionel Messi’s 14 goals in 11 appearances for Barca this season.
Atletico have yet to beat Barca in 11 La Liga meetings since Diego Simeone took charge in 2011.
However, Barca are often vulnerable immediately after an international break with the likes of Messi and Luis Suarez only returning to training in Barcelona on Friday.
“We are coming from the national team and they are an opponent that demands 200 percent from you,” added Andres Iniesta.
Iniesta is, though, expected to be fit after missing Spain’s final World Cup qualifiers with a hamstring strain.
Real Madrid are seven points adrift of Barca, but can close the gap at the top earlier on Saturday when they travel to Getafe.
However, Real coach Zinedine Zidane will have to cope without the injured Gareth Bale, Keylor Navas, Dani Carvajal and Mateo Kovacic.