Spanish La Liga: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid - Last stand for Diego Simeone's old guard?

Spanish Top Flight toppers Barcelona will host second-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday

La Liga leaders Barcelona host second-placed Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp on Saturday night knowing a win will make a fourth title in five years all but inevitable.


Atletico head into the contest eight points behind the reigning champions with eight games remaining, so only a victory will be enough to maintain the hopes of Diego Simeone's men.

More than that, though, the game is also a final chance for Simeone's old guard to rouse themselves for one last shot at glory.

Over the past few years, Atletico's title-winning side of 2014 has been gradually chipped away, piece by piece, and after this summer it's quite likely that only one or two will remain.

Ever-reliable midfielder Koke will still be there, along with the reacquired Diego Costa. That will probably be it, and Atletico are heading into a turbulent summer which poses more questions than it provides answers.BBC Sport