In a game that was worth the top spot in La Liga, Atlético de Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1, this Saturday (21/12), and became the leader of the competition. The match, for the 18th round of the Spanish Championship, took place at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, in Barcelona.
The goals were scored by Pedri, for Barcelona, and De Paul and Sörloth, for Atleti. Now, Atlético de Madrid is in first place, with 41 points in 18 games. Barça fell to second place, with 38 points in 19 matches.
Atleti extended their unbeaten run this season to 12 games, with an impressive 12 wins. On the other hand, Barcelona stumbled again in the competition. The team was coming off a draw with Betis and a defeat against Leganés.
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Barcelona x Atlético de Madrid: how it was
The first half was one of Barcelona’s superiority. The numbers show the scenario: 58% possession for Barça and six shots compared to none for Atlético de Madrid.
Hansi Flick did not lead Barça from the bench due to an expulsion against Betis. Assistant Marcus Sorg took his place.
Brazilian Raphinha moved a lot in the first half, but Barça’s goal came with great movement from the duo Gavi and Pedri. In the 29th minute, Pedri passed it to Gavi, who passed it back for his teammate to score.
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The second stage started with more pressure from Barça. Pedri almost scored another at nine. Atlético’s defense cut the cross poorly and the number 8 caught the ball in the area, but shot it wide. Then minutes later, it was Raphinha’s turn to almost. Pedri found the Brazilian free, in excellent condition. Raphinha covered Oblak, but hit the crossbar. Lewandowski still finished off the rebound, but Witsel threw himself onto the ball and cut in backwards.
Barça’s second goal seemed mature, but in a quick descent, it was Atlético de Madrid who scored. At 14, Rodrigo De Paul took advantage of a bad cut from Barcelona’s defense and shot with great skill to equalize.
After the goal conceded, Barcelona attacked again. At 30, Lewandowski missed a goal in an incredible way, inside the small area, after a good pass from Ferrán Torres. A minute later, Atleti almost turned it around. Pablo Barrios shot low into the area, but Iñaki Peña saved with his right foot.
The last minutes saw even more pressure from Barça, but Oblak was decisive. At 41, Raphinha received a shot, entered the area and shot, but the goalkeeper did well and saved it. A minute later, Pedri finished well from inside the area, but Oblak made another great intervention.
When the game seemed to be heading towards a draw, Atlético de Madrid took advantage of Barça’s hesitation to build a lethal counterattack and turn the game around with Sörloth, in the 50th minute.
Barcelona x Atlético de Madrid: goals
Barcelona’s goal came in the 29th minute of the first half. Pedri received it on the left half and passed it to Gavi, who put it in front for Pedri in a spin that deceived the markers. The number 8 was in front of the goal and finished with class to open the scoring.
Atlético de Madrid equalized at 14 minutes into the second half. Julián Álvarez went down the left, entered the area and crossed low. Casadó took it short and De Paul shot from outside the area, first time, into the left corner of Iñaki Peña.
Atleti’s breakthrough came at 50 minutes into the second half. Raphinha missed a pass in front and gave him a chance to counterattack. Thus, Rodrigo De Paul activated Molina on the left. He went down and crossed into the area, where Sörloth appeared to shoot and give the final score to the game.
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Barcelona x Atlético de Madrid: lineups
Barcelona: Iñaki Peña; Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Balde; Pedri, Casadó (Eric García – 34’/2º tempo); Fermín López (Dani Olmo – 18’/2º tempo), Gavi (Ferrán Torres – 18’/2º tempo), Raphinha; Lewandowski. Technical: Marcus Sorg.
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Marcos Llorente (Sörloth – 27’/2nd half), Giménez (Witsel – 5’/2nd half), Lenglet, Javi Galán; Giuliano (Molina – 16’/2nd half), De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher (Koke - 16’/2nd half); Griezmann (Le Normand – 27’/2nd half) and Julián Álvarez. Technical: Diego Simeone.
Atlético de Madrid: upcoming games
- 04/01 – Marbella x Atlético de Madrid – 5:30 pm (Brasília time) – Copa del Rey
- 12/01 – Atlético de Madrid x Osasuna – 12:15 pm (Brasília time) – La Liga
- 18/01 – Leganés x Atlético de Madrid – 12:15 pm (Brasília time) – La Liga
Barcelona: upcoming games
- 04/01 – UD Barbastro x Barcelona – 3pm (Brasília time) – Copa del Rey
- 08/01 – Athletic Club x Barcelona – 4pm (Brasília time) – La Liga
- 18/01 – Getafe x Barcelona – 4pm (Brasília time) – La Liga
