Atletico de Madrid vs Barcelona preview - Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann excited by Barcelona visit

Posted Friday, September 11, 2015 by PA

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is expecting a thrilling encounter when his team hosts defending champions Barcelona at the Estadio Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

Barca won the four meetings between the sides last season but the Rojiblancos strengthened their team this summer and Griezmann says his side can upset the visitors.

Both teams go into the contest after winning their first two La Liga games.

Atletico opened their season with a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas before clinching an impressive 3-0 triumph at Sevilla.

"We had a great pre-season and we have started the campaign well," Griezmann told his club's official website.

"This is a great game for us and we will come out determined to give everything we have and win this match to make it three wins in a row.

"Barcelona always try to hold possession and we need to press them forward, be strong at the back and try to score."

Griezmann is likely to lead Atletico's attack with Fernando Torres while Jackson Martinez is expected to start on the bench.

Brazilian defender Filipe Luis has recovered from a muscular injury and will start for the first time since returning to Atletico this summer on a permanent transfer from Chelsea.

Atletico won the Primera Division title two years ago and finished third behind Real Madrid and Barcelona last season.

The Rojiblancos, under coach Diego Simeone, have won just one of their 13 encounters in all competitions against Barca.

One of those was a 1-0 home triumph in April 2014 in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

A Lionel Messi goal gave Barca a 1-0 triumph at the Vicente Calderon in the league in May, the last time the two sides faced each other.

Barca coach Luis Enrique expects another level encounter in Madrid.

"It's always difficult to play against them," he said in Friday's press conference.

"It's always a very level game and a complicated one.

"We are two winning sides and Simeone has proved he can win titles and so have I. But we hope to bring home a victory on Saturday night."

Messi, who has yet to score this season for Barca, became a father for the second time on Friday morning and missed his team's last training session before the game but should start against Atletico.

"The club gave him permission not to train for personal reasons today but he is on the list and he is available," Enrique said.

Barca will not be at full strength for this weekend's game with Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo set to miss out with a calf injury that he picked up in training this week and Germany international Marc-Andre ter Stegen is set to make his La Liga debut for Barca this weekend.

"I have full confidence in all of my goalkeepers," Enrique added.

"I see Ter Stegen well and ready."

Brazilian defenders Dani Alves and Douglas are also out injured while Gerard Pique is suspended.

Barca begin their Champions League title defence at Roma next week while the Rojiblancos start their European campaign at Galatasaray on September 15.