Barcelona News: Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis to ‘butcher’ Lionel Messi

Atletico Madrid take on Barcelona tomorrow at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium (7.45pm).

Diego Simeone’s side are struggling to keep pace with Barca this term who have opened up a six-point gap at the top of the league.

However, full-back Filipe Luis has revealed he has a plan to give Atletico an edge – butcher Lionel Messi.

“I’m always in the butcher role,” the former Chelsea man told Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

“But the only way to stop Messi one-on-one is to foul him. Otherwise, if I’m alone, I’ll only get the ball one in 20 times. 

“I have to use other weapons.

“I know the best way to stop him. I know he does not like playing with his back to goal, you must be right on top of him when he gets the ball. 

“If he feels comfortable, you’re dead.

“I feel I do pretty well against him when we play, although he always scores against us. 

“And even with me being the bad guy when we meet, he never reproaches me, always shakes my hand after the game.

“Messi is so good that he can win La Liga even with a mediocre team, which is not the case.

“Barca remain up top every year because of him. Messi is so good, so good that he holds up what is around him.”