Relative calmness among top bosses between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid ahead of La Liga clash

Relative calmness among top bosses between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid ahead of La Liga clash La Liga will witness one of the its most consequential matches this weekend, in the context of the title race, as Barcelona travel to Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid this evening. The two sides are coming on the back of a controversial summer, where Barcelona tried hard to prize away Atleti’s star player Julian Alvarez, leading to an intense war of word between both club bosses. As Barcelona visit the Metropolitano, one would expect animosity from fans and in the stands. But as far as the leadership is concerned, it appears things have softened a bit. Relative calm among leadership Laporta will lead the Barcelona delegation. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) According to Mundo Deportivo , there will be a notable easing of tension among the leaders of both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in the VIP box, following recent appeals for peace from the leaders of both clubs. President Joan Laporta, who will lead the Barcelona delegation in Madrid, revealed last month at the European Football Clubs Assembly in Copenhagen that he had “smoothed things over” with Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin. Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has similarly adopted a similar tone, though he did not hold back when asked about Alvarez ahead of this game. That thaw between the two set of leaders will be reflected in the first lunch meeting between the two boards since the Alvarez saga in the summer. Cerezo, alongside club legend and board member David Villa, are expected to host Laporta and the Barcelona delegation, also including vice-presidents Rafa Yuste, Elena Fort and Ferran Olive. The report adds that Deco, Bojan Krkic and Alejandro Echevarria will be present in the VIP box but absent from the lunch, while Gil Marin is expected to skip it to focus on the match itself. Fire in the stands Atleti fans are expected to be hostile towards Barcelona after Alvarez saga. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Although it seems the mood in the boardroom has mellowed, the atmosphere inside the stadium will be quite different, the report says. Indeed, the home fans are eager to welcome Barcelona with intensity of a big European night. They are expected to be greeted by flares and hostility in what will be a full house at the Metropolitano. The anger will not be aimed at Alvarez but the Barcelona team, which is hardly surprising as the relationship between the two clubs was at a breaking point in the summer.