“Barcelona seems to thrive on adversity”
“The Barcelona team seems to thrive on adversity. Whenever players are missing through injury or suspension the squad always reacts well,” says Roger Bogunyà in an article at the official FC Barcelona website. “Barcelona is the cleanest side in the Spanish League, having won the Fair Play Award of last season. Nevertheless, the team always responds well whether players are sent off or injured.”
Pique and Marquez will miss the coming match against Atletico Madrid due to a one match suspension following their red cards, while Alves and Touré are out injured.
Facing similar situations in high profile matches previously, Guardiola improvised two defenses:
The first was against Atletico Bilabao in the Copa del Rey final last year, with Marquez and Milito injured and Abidal banned. Guardiola played with Alves, Touré, Pique, and Puyol in the back. The team won 4-1.
The second time was in the Champions League final that Barcelona won 2-0 against Manchester United. With Alves and Abidal both suspended, and Marquez and Milito injured, Guardiola played with Puyol, Touré, Pique and Silvinho in the back.
Guardiola’s makeshift back lines have been successful:
“So far, Guardiola’s teams have had 11 players sent off in 9 different matches. In the 8 following matches, the team has only been beaten once, winning 6 and drawing 1. The only defeat in these circumstances came against Atletico Madrid – this weekend’s opponent – in the match that ended 4-3 last season.”
This time things might be a bit easier, because the team is only short of a natural right back, just as it was in the Getafe match.
"With Alves and Abidal both suspended, and Marquez and Milito injured…" that is a scary scene. But of course we still managed to take the W.
With Maxwells excellent performance last weekend i can see a strong defense against athletico
Maxwell-Puyol-Milito-Abidal
Agree
.. or maybe.. Puyol- Chingriskiy- Milito- Abidal.. but better would be the first one 
Why are you guys putting Abidal as right back if he is a left back. Maxwell played at right back this past game so it would be obvious if they stay with him at right and Abi at left or just switch Puyol to right and call Milito and Chygrynskyi in center.
Maxwell – Puyol – Chygy – Abidal.
I have been very pleased with Maxwell's performances this season, and against Getafe he was great. I'd trust him at RB, as he will give us a comparable offensive output as Alves. Chygrynskiy and Puyol in the center give us strength as well as the ability to get the ball out of the back that we wouldn't get as much with Milito. Then Abidal at the back is obvious.
i'd rather put muniesa or bartra over chiggy. chiggy is slow as hell. aguero will run rings around him!
Pique isnt the fastest either. Puyol is in charge for the man marking and Pique for cleaning up, Chiggy could do the same. I hope he gets to start against Atletico
Fan page for Pedro Rodriguez ! : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pedro-Rodriguez/295...
I believe Ibra will wake up against athleti! He just had too much xmas turkey that`s it! Come on Barca, play a great controlled game. Madrid will start panic with another tough 3 points for azulgrana!