Barcelona lineup vs. Atletico Madrid: Projected starting XI, team news, injury list with Frenkie de Jong returning

Barcelona lineup vs. Atletico Madrid: Projected starting XI, team news, injury list with Frenkie de Jong returning originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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• Barcelona projected lineup vs. Atletico Madrid

• Barcelona injury list

• Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid match details

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clash at Camp Nou on Tuesday in a potentially significant game in La Liga's title race.

Barca's 3-1 win over Alaves at the weekend saw them claim top spot in the standings after Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Girona.

Atletico are only three points behind the leaders. Diego Simeone's side have won six straight league games, conceding just one goal in that run. They have not lost in the top flight since the opening-day defeat to Espanyol.

With Real Madrid not in action until a day later, this game is a chance for one of these teams to put further pressure on Los Blancos in what is shaping up to be a fascinating title race.

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Barcelona lineup vs. Atletico Madrid: Projected starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Garcia (GK)

Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde

Casado, De Jong

Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha

Lewandowski

Barcelona team news

Frenkie de Jong trained with the first team on Sunday and should be ready to start against Atletico. That could see Pedri come into the lineup in the No. 10 role, although Dani Olmo will also be pushing to start after scoring twice against Alaves.

Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha were both substituted at the weekend and so should be fully fit for the first XI.

In defence, Jules Kounde should return at right-back after coming off the bench last time out. That would see Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin compete for the centre-back spot alongside Pau Cubarsi, with Ronald Araujo still out through illness.

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Barcelona injury list

Below is the latest injury picture for Barcelona, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Ronald Araujo

• Injury: Illness

• Expected return date: December 6

Araujo has had a week to forget, falling ill after receiving his marching orders against Chelsea. His status for the Atletico game is unclear, but he did not train on Sunday, so a return seems unlikely.

Gavi

• Injury: Meniscus damage (right knee)

• Expected return date: February 2026

Gavi suffered damage to his right knee during an August training session. The midfielder avoided an ACL tear but required surgery to repair the meniscus. He's expected to face five months on the sidelines.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

• Injury: Lower back

• Expected return date: Uncertain

Ter Stegen's back surgery in July sparked a mini crisis at Barca, who stripped him of the captaincy before reinstating him after accepting his version of how long he expected to be sidelined. The Germany keeper could be back before the end of the year, but it is unclear at this moment.

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid match details

• Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

• Kickoff time: 9p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 7 a.m. AEDT (Dec, 3)

• Location: Camp Nou (Barcelona, Spain)

• Competition: La Liga matchweek 15

• Referee: TBA

• VAR: TBA