Barcelona’s João Félix plan vs Atlético Madrid confirmed

An insight into the plans of Barcelona head coach Xavi to make use of João Félix in the club’s next outing has come to the fore online.

The name of frontman Félix, of course, has returned to the forefront of the headlines in Spain over the course of the week to date.

This comes with the Portuguese primed to return to the home of his parent club, when Barcelona face off with Atlético Madrid on Sunday night.

Félix is expected to be afforded a frosty reception on the part of the home crowd at the Wanda Metropolitano, after making clear where his loyalties lie after netting the only goal in the meeting between Barca and Atléti back in December.

In turn, it has been suggested that the 24-year-old, for his own good, could be left on the bench from the off in Madrid.

If the latest word stemming from the media late on Saturday is anything to go by, however, then as much looks altogether unlikely.

As per a report from Diario Sport, Xavi is ready to make use of the ‘extra motivation’ on Félix’s part by affording the frontman a spot in his starting XI on Sunday.

Having taken full note of the fact that one of Félix’s best performances in Barcelona colours to date came against his parent club late last year, the Blaugrana’s boss is hopeful of a similar impact this time round.

The most likely scenario is that the former Benfica talent replaces Raphinha in the visitors’ line-up at the Metropolitano, to join Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in a talent-laden frontline.

Conor Laird | GSFN