The duel between Joao Felix and Griezmann before Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid

In recent years the matches between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have become very tense duels. Both teams have competed for titles on several occasions and many players have moved from one club to the other, some of them in the midst of conflicts. That's why every time they face each other there is much more at stake than just three points.

This time will be no exception. This Sunday Los Blaugranas will host Los Colchoneros at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys in Montjuic, in a match that could be very important for La Liga. Both teams share third place in the tournament standings with 31 points and are 7 points behind leaders Real Madrid and Girona. This means that whoever does not win will be far from the top.

But there will also be another factor that will raise the tension: the conflicts between some players. This week Joao Felix gave an interview to ESPN and, when asked which style of play he preferred, Barcelona's or Atlético Madrid's, he answered: “Of course I prefer Barça's style... me and all the players. If you ask the Atlético players they would also prefer to play more attacking, of course. And if they don't answer that, they are lying”.

These words shocked everyone, considering that the Portuguese forward was a teammate of all Atlético Madrid players until just a few months ago, when he was loaned to Barcelona. And not only that. It is also possible that he will have to return to his parent club at the end of this season, unless the clubs agree between themselves on a new loan or a sale.

They also talked about Joao

At the same time that Felix said those things about Atlético Madrid, his former teammates also had harsh words for him. In an interview with Movistar Plus+, Antoine Griezmann said: "Joao had moments when he did very well, he worked very well. But you have to be constant and perhaps there came a time when he got tired and no longer wanted to stay here and that is why the club has also made the effort to let him leave".