Barça Atlètic aim to surprise and stay out in front

Barça Atlètic head to Olot with a clear objective: to remain alone at the top of the standings. Their strong start to the season has opened up a five-point lead over Osasuna B and Terrassa. The match is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. this afternoon at Estadio Municipal de Olot, with coverage listed on Esport 3 and YouTube FCB. The hosts, meanwhile, are seeking their first home win.

Juliano Belletti has not ruled out changing his approach in an effort to catch them off guard. The Barça Atlètic coach believes the two sides already know each other: when they met last season, his team got a look at what Olot can do on home ground. “We played this team last season and have more or less an idea of what they can do at home. But they know us well too, and we want to surprise them. I have looked for other tactical options for this kind of match, against an opponent that defends very well and looks for counterattacks,” he said.

Belletti may also have to deal with possible absences. Àlex Campos and Orian Goren are expected to be called up to the first team for the Clásico, although their unavailability is not certain. If Goren is absent, Ebrima Tunkara could have a chance to start. Belletti must also choose a centre-back for a defence that has conceded the fewest goals in the championship. He has several options in attack.

Roger Vidal, for his part, will be without Robert Costa, Josep Jaume, Mario and Víctor Maffeo. The Olot coach described Barça Atlètic as a team “that comes to press very high, with very young and intense players, and a lot of quality on the ball”. Vidal said his side would need to respond collectively: “Defensively, we have to be very strong and able to win duels while defending away from the area; on the ball, we need to be very clear in our ideas.” The matchup therefore brings together a leader looking to maintain its away form and hosts chasing their first home victory.