Atletico Madrid 0-1 Barcelona: Match recap and review

Atletico Madrid hosted Barcelona on Matchday 16 of La Liga on Sunday night in a game that was equally vital for both sides.

From the visitors’ point of view, a win would take them three points clear of Real Madrid on the league standings after Los Blancos’ slip-up against Villarreal on Saturday. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, needed the win to keep them in the race for the top four.

Xavi Hernandez made five changes to the side that faced Espanyol last weekend. Marc Andre ter Stegen started in goal, with Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen guarding it centrally. The defensive line was completed by Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde as the fullbacks.

Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri comprised the midfield. Gavi, on the other hand, started as an inverted winger on the left, with Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele completing the lineup.

Xavi’s side started on the front foot and created chances as early as the fourth minute. Dembele and Fati both missed opportunities in the opening exchanges as the Blaugranas dominated the proceedings.

The strong Catalan spell saw the game played almost entirely in Atletico’s half, and culminated in a goal for the visitors in the 22nd minute.

The movement for the goal began with an inspired vertical run by Pedri, evading four Rojiblanco players before squaring it to Gavi. The youngster shielded the ball from Reinildo before laying it at Dembele’s feet. The Frenchman did not have any trouble putting it past Jan Oblak and gave his side the deserved lead.

From there on, the game went on a downward spiral for Barcelona. In the minutes that followed, it was Diego Simeone’s side who seemed to be getting the upper hand and by the half-hour mark, they were all over the visitors.

Jose Maria Gimenez came close to equalising with a towering header before Griezmann dangerously tested Ter Stegen from inside the box in the 42nd minute.

At the half-time whistle, the hosts had recorded 11 shots, including five blocked chances as opposed to Barcelona’s mere six and three respectively.

Los Colchoneros began the second half exactly how they left it at the end of the first 45 minutes. Antoine Griezmann had a glorious chance in the 51st minute but could only send it above the bar.

Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati made way for Franck Kessie and Ferran Torres in the 58th minute as Xavi attempted to regain control of the game.

The game evened out after the substitutions as Barcelona once again began to get inroads. Ferran Torres scored a well-worked volley in the 72nd minute but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Raphinha came on for Gavi in the 73rd minute. Xavi Hernandez used his final substitutions eight minutes later with Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto replacing Alejandro Balde and Sergio Busquets, respectively.

Atletico Madrid soon moved into a state of desperation, while Barcelona were happy to sit back, defend and hit on the counter. Six minutes were added on.

Stefan Savic and Ferran Torres got into a wrestle in the middle of the field in the second minute of extra time, prompting the referee to give both players their marching orders. Reduced to a 10 v 10, the March remained even.

Simeone’s side created a massive chance in the 94th minute when Angel Correa found Griezmann in front of an open goal. Only Ronald Araujo’s clearance off the line maintained the team’s lead. Eventually, Xavi’s men held onto their lead until the full-time whistle.

With this win, the Catalans go three points clear on top of the table. They will next be in action midweek against Real Betis in the Spanish Super Cup.