The fortunes of Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic may have turned on its head and he could start against Atletico Madrid, report Marca.
The Croatian starred in Wednesday night’s 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League alongside Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong in a midfielder trio.
It is claimed by the report that their presence ensured Barca had the ability to pressure the opposition and push them into mistakes in costly positions, allowing their attacking trident to pounce.
That particular three are said to offer the Blaugrana the balance of being able to break up the opposition plays before a quick transition to the attack.
Indeed, it cites the data that between them – the midfield won possession 31 times during the match and, in the short term at least, this will give Rakitic a run in the starting XI.
Wednesday night had been Rakitic’s second start of the season – after an early-season defeat against Granada.
