This Saturday evening, Spain offered us one of its greatest shocks. Courtiers to the title this year on the other side of the Pyrenees, FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid faced each other on the 18th day of La Liga. Winners of their last 11 matches in all competitions, the Colchoneros arrived confident of their strength against a Barça less brilliant than at the start of the season. To continue with a 12th consecutive success, Diego Simeone decided to align an attacking eleven with an attacking duo composed of Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann. Deprived of Lamine Yamal, Hansi Flick decided to trust an attack made up of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Fermín López.
Barcelona
1
30′
Pedro
Atlético
2
60′
R. De Paul
90’+6
A. Sørloth
finished
Everything was there to watch a big match at the Montjuic stadium. From the outset, the Blaugranas showed their domination in the game. Concerned, the teammates of a brilliant Pedri quickly gained the upper hand over their opponents by asphyxiating them with constant pressure. And after a dangerous attempt from Inigo Martinez (22nd), it was the insatiable Pedri who broke the deadlock with a gem of action. Hard-hitting in the midfield, the Catalan number 8 served Gavi who delivered him with an inspired roulette. Recovering the leather, Pedri deceived Jan Oblak with a confident flat foot (1-0, 30th). Authors of such a controlled first period, the locals returned to the locker room with a score advantage which was not contested.
Atlético de Madrid did the Paris trick again
Upon returning from the locker room, Barça therefore intended to rely on this mastery to take cover and secure this good move in the standings. Problem is, nothing really went as planned for Hansi Flick’s flock. Despite attempts by Fermín López (48th) and Raphinha (57th), respectively stopped by Jan Oblak and the bar of the Slovenian goalkeeper’s cage, the Catalans were unable to score this very important second goal. And on the other hand, the response was not long in coming with the Madrilenians used to scoring even in slow times. Taking advantage of a failed clearance from Marc Casado, Rodrigo De Paul fired a low shot from outside the area which Inaki Pena was unable to stop (1-1, 60th). The last half hour of the meeting was also very rhythmic.
Having opportunities, the two teams were however unable to do well after several decisive saves from Jan Oblak (86th, 88th), who responded to an equally imperial Inaki Pena in front of Barrios (77th). Robert Lewandowski also stood out with a rather grotesque miss (76th) by missing the ball with his left foot. A failure which illustrates quite well the Pole’s sluggish match. And while we were heading towards a draw which was no one’s business, Atlético de Madrid did it again. Found on a lightning counter-attack, Alexander Sorloth left Inaki Pena no chance with a powerful strike (1-2, 90+6th). Already winning in Paris in the same conditions thanks to a last-second goal from Angel Correa, the residents of Civitas Metropolitano continue with a thirteenth success in a row. Barça cedes its leadership throne to Matelassiers and now has four points less than its evening opponent, who has one match less than them.
