Rival watch: Simeone plans key change to Atletico Madrid lineup against Barcelona

Atletico Madrid will travel to Catalonia tomorrow as they get set to take on La Liga leaders FC Barcelona in their final match before the mid-season break.

Diego Simeone’s side are in red-hot form and have climbed the table to sit level on points with Barça, with a game in hand as well.

The Blaugrana, on the other hand, have seen their form dip of late, especially in La Liga, setting up for an enticing battle tomorrow at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

One change for Atletico Madrid

As reported earlier today, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is pondering two major changes to the lineup to face the Spanish capital club tomorrow.

Meanwhile, AS has now come forward with a report stating that Diego Simeone himself has a plan to make a solitary change to his Atletico Madrid side that defeated Getafe in their last match.

As per the update, El Cholo plans on introducing Conor Gallagher into the starting XI against the Blaugrana, with the Englishman expected to replace Samu Lino on the left flank.

Simeone tested the lineup with the former Chelsea man earlier this week in training and it appears that he is satisfied enough with the result to introduce the change for the game.

Gallagher will slot in on the left flank of Atletico’s four-man midfield, from where he will support Javi Galan defensively and provide forward thrust when in possession.

No changes otherwise

The rest of the team is expected to remain unchanged from Atletico’s win over Getafe with Rodrigo De Paul and Pablo Barrios lining up in the centre of the field while Giuliano Simeone occupies the right wing, trying to exploit spaces left by Barça’s high line.

In defence, Jose Maria Gimenez will partner up with Barcelona loanee Clement Lenglet, who will be eligible to play against his parent club. Marcos Llorente is expected to continue at right-back with Galan on the left.

Up top, Simeone plans on trusting the partnership of former Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann and summer signing Julian Alvarez, meaning Alexander Sorloth misses out.