Xavi: The game against Atletico Madrid doesn't decide anything, but Barcelona could make a statement

Xavi Hernandez wants his team to bounce back after their unimpressive recent performances against Espanyol and Intercity following the 2022 World Cup break.

The Barcelona coach insisted that his men should find the finishing touch they lacked in their last two games in order to break down a solid Atletico Madrid defence on Sunday.

"Every week is like this. The next match is the most important," Xavi told the press conference prior Sunday's game.

"It won't decide anything, but Barcelona could make a statement. It's a complicated ground and they are a rock defensively.

"It will be hard for us to generate things and we have to be more effective than in the last two games. It's not a transcendental match for the future of LaLiga.

"I expect a very well-worked team. They normally use a 5-3-2 or a 4-4-2 [formation], they are a chameleon-like team.

"We have to be prepared for whatever Atletico throw at us. It's going to cost us, but we have to make the most of the chances we get."

Robert Lewandowski will miss out on the Atletico clash due to suspension and Xavi explained that there are three players who could cover for the experienced striker.

"Ferran [Torres] is more mobile and Ansu [Fati] is more positional," Xavi continued.

"Ferran generates a lot of space for his teammates and is constantly unmarked. Ansu is different. Both are capable of playing as a striker. There is also the option of Memphis [Depay]."

He went on to hail Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, who failed to live up to expectations during his spell at Barcelona.

"I don't know the situation he experienced here," Xavi declared.

"He is an important player for Atletico Madrid. He gets many touches, can make a final pass and is very important for Cholo [Simeone]. He makes the difference in the final third and is an important rival."

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