- Barcelona proved to be too powerful for Atletico Madrid on Sunday as they thrashed them 3-0 at the Metropolitano Stadium
- Barca extended their unbeaten run to ten games (W7, D3) and became the first club in La Liga to defeat Atletico Madrid at home in over a year
FC Barcelona proved to be too powerful for Atletico Madrid on Sunday as they thrashed them 3-0 in the Atletico vs Barca La Liga fixture.
The Catalans extended their unbeaten run to ten games (W7, D3) and became the first club in La Liga to defeat Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in over a year.
Diego Simeone’s side came into the match with confidence after a UEFA Champions League last-16 victory over Inter Milan on Wednesday. However, it was Barcelona, who also won their Champions League midweek clash against Napoli, who took the lead as the first half drew closer to an end.
Joao Felix scored Barcelona’s opener against his parent club Atletico Madrid last night. Photo/ Eurosport.
It was Joao Felix, Atletico’s most expensive signing in history, who scored the opener against his parent club. The Portugal international also scored the only goal when these two sides last met in December. Robert Lewandowski then doubled the visitors lead shortly after the break before youngster Fermin Lopez sealed the win in the 65th minute. Atletico’s Nahuel Molina was shown a red card in stoppage time.
Barcelona have moved into second place in the La Liga standings with 62 points while Atletico Madrid remain fifth with 55 points.
How The Atletico Vs Barca Game Unfolded
Hosts Atletico Madrid started the game strongly, with the players moving into Barcelona’s box in numbers. Alvaro Morata had two clear chances but the Spain international squandered them all. Pablo Barrios had a golden opportunity after Atletico won the ball inside Barca’s box but his shot went inches wide.
Atletico were in control of the match for the first 30 minutes and had Xavi Hernandez’s side second best to everything. However, the Los Colchoneros were made to pay for their missed opportunities in the 38th minute when Gundogan sidestepped two opponents before finding Lewandowski, who passed the ball to Felix to slot home. Xavi was sent off for dissent shortly after Felix’s opener.
Morata would have equalized for Atletico Madrid just before the break but he failed to convert his chance and was withdrawn at half time, with Memphis Depay taking his place. Diego Simeone also brought on Antoine Griezmann who has been a key player for the club this season.
However, Barca increased their advantage to 2-0 even before the substitutes had time to make an impact. An error from Rodrigo de Paul gifted possession to Raphinha who set up Lewandowski who converted from a tight angle.
Atletico vs Barca. Photo/ France 24.
The second goal was a wake up call for the hosts and they almost pulled one back immediately but Ter Stegen made a fantastic save to deny Marcos Llorente and then reacted quickly to stop Depay’s follow up. Despite Atletico looking revived, Barca rounded of their victory in the 65th minute, thanks to Fermin Lopez’s powerful header.
Lopez’s goal was the final nail in the coffin as there was no way Atletico would have turned the game around. Diego Simeone’s side did not even threaten a comeback and finished the game with ten men as Nahuel Molina was sent off in stoppage time for bringing down Vitor Roque.
Joao Felix swapped shirts and then disappeared to the tunnel where Atletico players and staff waited to embrace him. The Portuguese forward has been unable to settle at Atletico and has publicly disagreed with Diego Simeone in the past few years, which led to him spending last season on loan at Chelsea before joining Barca on deadline day last summer.
“They know what happened; the people on the outside don’t, so I understand it. Maybe I’m not the bad guy.” Joao Felix said after last night’s Atletico vs Barca match, as per The Guardian.
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