Laporta visits Barcelona training ground to encourage squad ahead of Atletico Madrid clash

Laporta visits Barcelona training ground to encourage squad ahead of Atletico Madrid clash According to SPORT , Joan Laporta was present at the Barcelona training ground today to offer support and encouragement to the players ahead of the crucial La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid . The reigning champions and league leaders will travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano to face Diego Simeone’s men tomorrow in a top-of-the-table clash. Laporta offers encouragement And, ahead of the big game tomorrow, Laporta paid a visit to the training facilities in order to encourage and motivate the squad heading into an important match right before the international break. As per the report, the Barcelona president was accompanied by sporting director Deco and other members of the club’s sporting commission, including Alejandro Echevarría and Bojan Krkic Jr. Laporta was present at Barcelona’s training ground today. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) With the leadership of La Liga on line in the fixture in the Spanish capital, Laporta wanted to show the squad that the club’s confidence in them remains intact after a couple of setbacks last month. Recovering from a double blow Barcelona made a stunning start to the 2026/27 season, going on a 11-game winning streak from the off. But that run came to a halt in October as they succumbed to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. Few days later, Hansi Flick & co. were beaten 1-2 at home by arch-rivals Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season, dealing them a double blow. A must-win game for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) It was a difficult moment for Barça, with questions being asked of the team’s style, particularly in the big games. Nonetheless, they bounced back to winning ways last week, beating Deportivo Alaves in La Liga before following up with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Champions League. Given the situation, Laporta decided to show up at the training facilities and provide his support and encouragement to the players ahead of what is a clutch encounter at the Metropolitano tomorrow. After all, if Barcelona were to suffer a defeat in the game, Atletico Madrid would replace them as the league leaders – a scenario that the champions will be eager to avoid.