‘I hope he does not have his night’ – Atletico Madrid president talks loanee Joao Felix

After dominantly defeating Napoli, Barcelona’s mettle will be put to the test in tonight’s highly anticipated clash against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

But apart from the fact that two of Spain’s biggest clubs will be locking horns, the match also promises an extra layer of intrigue as it will witness some familiar faces squaring off against their former clubs.

Indeed, Memphis Depay, Antoine Griezmann, and Joao Felix will each have their personal motivations driving them forward.

Scrutiny will especially be heightened for Joao Felix, who will have a point to prove against his parent club.

Atletico Madrid president hopes Felix does not show up tonight

The Portuguese winger has not been relied upon consistently in the starting XI as of late, but given the context of his fallout with Atletico Madrid last summer, many eyes will be fixated on him tonight.

Talking about Felix’s situation, Enrique Cerezo, Atletico Madrid’s president, claimed he hopes to avoid facing an in-form Felix and wishes that the fans do not treat him with hostility.

Felix had a masterclass performance against Atletico in December. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Furthermore, addressing the incertitude surrounding Felix’s future, Enrique Cerezo added that his future will be resolved at the end of the campaign.

“He is our player who is playing on loan at Barcelona and you all know his situation. I just hope that if he plays, he doesn’t have his night tonight.

“To the fans, I would say treat him as we treat all the players who come here, with respect and education.

“I don’t know if he will play or not, we will see when he steps onto the field, but he should be treated as befits a player of Atlético, who is playing in Barcelona and who is respected like all players in this stadium.

“For us, it’s not a problem; it is what it is, and at the end of the season, we will decide what happens,” Cerezo exclaimed (h/t Barca Buzz)

Felix already put up one of his best performances of the season against Atletico Madrid when the two sides played each other in December last year.

As such, the Atletico Madrid president’s concerns about Felix potentially putting up his A-game certainly hold some weight.