Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Joao Felix has admitted that he clearly prefers the style of play employed at FC Barcelona over that at his parent club Atletico Madrid.
Joao Felix joined Barcelona on loan from Atleti during the summer transfer window and has quickly become an integral part of Xavi Hernandez’s side.
The 24-year-old looks much more at home and comfortable with the Blaugrana than he did during his four years at Atletico Madrid.
Atletico players would also prefer Barcelona style, says Joao Felix
As Barcelona get set to take on Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday night, the question about the two teams’ playing styles was put forth to Joao Felix.
And, the Portuguese international, who has already confirmed he wants to join the club permanently, did not hold back in his response, as he stated that he and every other player would prefer the Catalans’ style over that in place in Diego Simeone’s team.
“For sure [I prefer] this style [at Barcelona] — me and every player,” Joao Felix told ESPN ahead of the match.
“If you ask every player, if you ask the players from Atletico, too, they would prefer to play more time on the attack, for sure. If they don’t answer that, they are lying. Of course, every player wants to attack, wants to have the ball and to score goals.”
A special match
Leading up to the game, the focus has obviously been on Joao Felix and there has been a lot said about his time at Atletico Madrid and why things did not work out for him at the Spanish capital club.
Irrespective of that, though, Felix insisted that he had some happy moments to look back at from his stint with the Rojiblancos, and facing them this weekend will be special.
“It’s a special game for me,” he said. “Atletico was my home for the last four years, so of course I [left] with some good moments there.
“It’s always special to play against my old teammates. It will be good to see them again and to see how we play against them.”
The Portuguese international then named Rodrigo De Paul as one player he was looking forward to facing, as he said: “I would say De Paul, because [on] the field he is so annoying.
“The last years, I was on his team, so it’s OK, but seeing him from the outside he is so annoying. I want to see how he will deal with me and how he will react.
“I am excited to see him on the field because outside he’s really good person. Now I want to see how it is to play against him.”
On Barcelona’s form and the title race
After a poor run of form, for him personally and Barcelona, they bounced back with a 2-1 win over FC Porto earlier this week, with Joao Felix scoring the winner.
Discussing the importance of the victory, the 24-year-old said: “It was very important for the team, for the club, and for the fans because the last games we were not playing our best football.”
“It was a perfect victory for all of us, the team and the fans, and now we are motivated for the Atletico game [because] La Liga is always tough,” he added.
Barcelona find themselves in a four-way battle for the La Liga title along with Real Madrid, Atletico, and the surprise package of the season, Girona, who the Catalans play next week.
“You always have Barça, Madrid and Atletico fighting for the title. And sometimes other teams are close; this year it is Girona. Real Sociedad are playing very well, too, and in some years it was Sevilla or Valencia,” Joao Felix stated.
“It will be a good fight until the last game. That is what we like and I think when you go to the games knowing you have to win, then the wins breed more confidence and happiness.”