Three takeaways from Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona | La Liga MD30
Three takeaways from Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona | La Liga MD30 The Riyadh Air Metropolitano saw Barcelona and Atletico Madrid lock horns last night in La Liga in what was the first of their three meetings in a relatively short period. Having just returned from the international break, Hansi Flick deployed a rather queer starting lineup with Ronald Araujo at right-back, Eric Garcia in midfield and Dani Olmo as a false nine. The opening exchanges saw Barcelona largely on top, but Atletico Madrid soon clawed back and created big openings of their own, even taking the lead via Giuliano Simeone.
A Marcus Rashford equaliser and a red card for the hosts then gave Flick’s side a cushion, one that they struggled to make the most of until the fag end of the game when Joao Cancelo and Robert Lewandowski managed to score the winner and take all three points. Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona. Starting on the right note To face an elite European opposition three times in ten days is easier said than done, and to do so, hoping to win all three takes up the difficulty a notch.
Last night’s game was the first of the three express meetings between the two Spanish giants, and for Barcelona to start on a win is a massive boost. Taking to the field away from home, at the same venue where they conceded four goals in 45 minutes not too long ago, the Catalans did well to hold their own. However, Atletico Madrid did not make it easy at any point in the game.
Winning the first of three games against the Madrid-based side gets the team off on the right foot, and places the momentum well on their side. Lewandowski’s goal sealed the game for Barcelona. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) The importance of last night’s win in the grand scheme of things, thus, cannot be understated.
The next game will see them have the home advantage, and should they win that game too, there will be maximum momentum in their favour ahead of the decisive UCL quarterfinal second-leg. Atletico Madrid’s luxury While Barcelona did take all three points and the momentum with a win on Sunday, there was a sense throughout the game that Atletico Madrid did not care nearly as much about the result in the league clash. They did fight it out with all their intensity on the field, but Diego Simeone made it very clear right from kickoff that it is the midweek UCL game that is his priority.