In what was a heavyweight showdown from Catalonia on Sunday evening, Barcelona claimed a vital 1-0 victory towards Atletico Madrid as Joao Felix got here again to hang-out his guardian membership.
Two sides who’ve their sights set on mounting one other title cost this season, it was Atletico loanee Felix who proved to be the winner because the Portugal worldwide produced a slick end simply earlier than the half-hour mark.
Whereas the reigning Spanish champions might need proven some inconsistencies on both aspect of November’s worldwide break, Xavi’s aspect arguably produced a season-best efficiency right here.
Dominating massive spells in Catalonia and dealing with what had been a free-scoring Atletico assault, Sunday’s 1-0 victory implies that Barca sit 4 factors adrift of historic rivals Actual Madrid.
Whereas Xavi’s aspect might need produced a stellar show on house soil, Diego Simeone’s camp will probably be annoyed after lacking out on what that they had billed as a possible alternative exterior of the capital.
Though Atletico might need arrived in Catalonia having fun with a stellar purple patch, Sunday’s visitors failed to search out any actual fluidity they usually have now misplaced every of their final three La Liga journeys to Catalonia.
With all eyes from throughout Spain falling on the Estadio Olimpico, now we have taken a take a look at the important thing speaking factors.
Barcelona declare a heavyweight scalp in Catalonia
Whereas Barcelona might need made actual historical past final season as they acquired their fingers on a primary La Liga crown since 2019, Xavi’s aspect are greater than conscious that they face an actual uphill battle to maintain maintain of their home title this time round.
However, though the Spanish icons might need marked their return from November’s worldwide break with a sluggish 1-1 stalemate towards Rayo Vallecano, Sunday’s hosts have come roaring again over the previous few days.
Finally cruising their option to the Champions League knockout stage in midweek because of a 2-1 victory towards Porto, Barcelona definitely saved up that momentum right here.
Extra then deserving of most factors on Sunday evening and accumulating a pair of heavyweight scalps, Xavi’s aspect nonetheless discover themselves inside touching distance of Actual Madrid.
Struggling only a single La Liga defeat from their first 15 appearances this season and heading right into a stacked winter schedule with a latest flurry, Barca may even take loads of positives from what has shortly turn out to be a exceptional purple patch in Catalonia.
Atletico miss out on a golden alternative
Match Barcelona in cruising their option to the Champions League knockout stage this season, Atletico Madrid have continued to obtain a string of plaudits from throughout the continent this season.
With their sights set on mounting a real title cost this 12 months and arriving in Catalonia with the temper of their camp at a red-hot excessive, Simeone was clearly annoyed by a flat efficiency on Sunday evening.
Actually gaining a popularity for his or her free-scoring performances on both aspect of November’s worldwide break, Sunday’s visitors had gained every of their earlier 4 appearances throughout all competitions by an mixture rating of 13-2.
Nevertheless, now shedding every of their final three La Liga journeys to the reigning Spanish champions, Simeone’s squad lacked any actual scientific edge they usually now discover themselves sat seven factors adrift of their bitter native rivals.
Drawing their first home clean since again on September sixteenth, Atletico should mud themselves down shortly if they’re to maintain themselves within the title race.
It was at all times going to be Felix
Allowed to characteristic towards his guardian membership on Sunday evening, it virtually appeared written within the stars that Felix would come again to hang-out Atletico right here.
Whereas there could be continued hypothesis over Robert Lewandowski’s future because the ex-Bayern Munich striker has now failed to search out the web in 10 of his final 11 appearances, Felix has definitely achieved a stellar job of spearheading Xavi’s cost.
Making a mortgage change from Atletico over the summer season after making it clear that his solely intention was to pressure by way of a transfer to Barca, this can be very arduous to see how Felix can return again to the Spanish capital on the finish of the season.
With the Portugal worldwide determined to finish a everlasting transfer to Catalonia, the one-time Benfica starlet has now discovered the web in back-to-back appearances over the previous few days.
Rapidly turning into a fan favorite and shockingly celebrating his first half winner right here, Felix has definitely come roaring again since his Chelsea struggles final season.
Match Report
Barcelona: Pena, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Cancelo, De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Subs: Torres, Gamal, Lopez
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Molina, Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso, Riquelme, De Paul, Koke, Llorente, Griezmann, Morata
Subs: Azpilicueta, Saul, Depay, Correa, Lino
Targets: Felix (28’)
Yellow Playing cards: Barcelona: Araujo, Cancelo, De Jong, Felix, Torres – Atletico Madrid: Gimenez, Witsel, Koke, Azpilicueta
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Jose María Sánchez Martinez
