The Wanda Metropolitano will host one of Spain's biggest fixtures this Saturday,
between two early candidates for the LaLiga title.
It's an historic first visit for Barcelona to Atletico Madrid's newest stadium, where they will look to take
three points that would enable them to match their best ever start to a season.
Last time out, the Catalan club beat Union Deportiva Las Palmas for their seventh win in as many games.
Victory against Atletico in Madrid would see Ernesto Valverde's Barça equal the club's eight wins in a row,
under Tata Martino in 2013/14.
But the coach isn't thinking about lowering expectations anytime soon.
"There are things that, despite everything, you always try to do better. Although we have a perfect points haul at
the momento, you always think that you have to finetune certain things."
Outright leaders of LaLiga, with a perfect record and a 5 point advantage over Sevilla, 6 over Valencia and Atletico
and 7 clear of Real Madrid, Futbol Club Barcelona go to the Wanda Metropolitano to face one of their biggest
challenges of the season.
Atletico Madrid remain unbeaten this term, although they have slipped up with results such as their recent
goalless draw against Leganes.
"A point always adds something to your total. It's better than losing. Obviously winning was our aim,
but we couldn't do that and so a draw helps us to keep adding points."
In light of a lack of effectiveness in front of goal from Fernando Torres, Luciano Vietto and Kevin Gameiro,
Simeone will likely maintain the combination of Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa in the attack.
For Barcelona, a serious doubt is the participation of Andres Iniesta, who went off injured against Las Palmas.
Up front, Denis Suarez could continue in Valverde's starting XI.
With a change of stadium, Atletico hope to end a dismal home record against Barça.
In the last seven LaLiga games in which they hosted the Catalans at the Calderon, they lost six times.
Last season saw a 1-2 away win thanks to goals from Rafinha and Messi.
Messi is always one to watch, but there are also stars such as Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Koke, Busquets and
Saul who are capable of changing games.
It's one of the biggest games in world football, and the pick of the fixtures on Matchday 8 in LaLiga Santander.
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