Opponent watch: Atletico Madrid super sub to miss league and cup clash vs Barcelona | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are set to face off against Atletico Madrid twice in the next couple of weeks – first in La Liga this Sunday and then again in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on April 2, with both matches to be played at the Metropolitano.

The two fixtures will have major repercussions on the season given that both teams are close in the La Liga table and are on level terms in the cup semi-final after the first leg ended in a 4-4 draw.

No Angel Correa for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona

Now, Atletico Madrid will go into both matches against Barcelona without one of their impact players – Angel Correa.

Indeed, the Argentine attacker will miss both clashes against Barcelona in La Liga and Copa del Rey after receiving the maximum punishment from the Disciplinary Committee for insulting referee Cuadra Fernandez.

No Correa against Barcelona. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Correa was shown a red card this past weekend during Atletico’s loss to Getafe in La Liga, following which he hit out at the referee, lashing out with abusive words.

These insults toward the referee have resulted in severe consequences as the Argentine has been handed a five-match suspension.

The Disciplinary Committee has imposed a five-match ban, with four games specifically for his verbal abuse.

As a result, Correa will miss La Liga fixtures against Barcelona, Espanyol, Sevilla, and Real Valladolid, along with the crucial Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barça.

Major blow for Diego Simeone

Correa’s absence is a significant setback for Diego Simeone as even though he is not a starter, the Argentine is a regular impact player off the bench.

This season, the attacker has seven goals and five assists from 38 appearances in all competitions, with one of the assists coming in the 4-4 cup semi-final draw against Barcelona.

Source: SPORT