FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid have met in 229 times before in a rivalry that is considered as one of the most traditional in Spanish football. Blaugranas and Rojiblancos have displayed all their quality over the years in many different scenarios.
Copa del Rey knock-out challenges, league battles, Champions League great clashes, but specially lots of goals are now in the history of the confrontation.
This time both Spanish powerhouses clash with the league title at stake as they arrive in first and second place of LaLiga table.
On one hand there is the virtuosity of Messi, Iniesta, Suárez and company. Ernesto Valverde's side has reached a high level of reliability on the pitch which is the reason of the successful season of the Catalan, being at the top of the league, in the Copa del Rey Final and fighting against Chelsea for a spot in the UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals.
On the other, Simeone's Atleti aggressive and fight instinct is the clue to understand how a team that seemed to be declining with an early Champions League elimination maintain theirselves as the only one able to dispute Barça the league title.
By the moment just seven points separe both Blaugranas and Atléticos a small gap that makes the clash between them a final.