Atletico Madrid climbed to the highest of La Liga with a surprising 2-1 comeback victory over Barcelona on the Camp Nou on Saturday.
A dramatic stoppage-time strike from substitute Alexander Sorloth sealed the win, extending Atletico’s unbeaten run to 12 video games throughout all competitions and leaving them three factors clear on the summit, with a match in hand over their closest rivals.
Barcelona took the lead within the thirtieth minute via Pedri, who each orchestrated and completed the transfer.
After surging ahead from midfield, the Spain worldwide linked up with Gavi, whose deflection inadvertently returned the ball to Pedri.
The midfielder then calmly slotted the ball previous Jan Oblak to offer the Catalans the benefit.
The house facet dominated a lot of the primary half, suffocating Atletico’s makes an attempt to construct momentum with aggressive urgent and sharp passing. Regardless of lacking teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal via damage, Barcelona had a number of alternatives to increase their lead, with Fermin Lopez and Raphinha each coming shut.
Nonetheless, Atletico struck again within the second half. A misplaced backheel clearance by Marc Casado fell kindly to Rodrigo De Paul, who powered a low strike into the underside nook within the 62nd minute. The aim marked De Paul’s third in 4 league outings, underlining his rising affect in midfield.
Because the match reached its closing levels, either side pushed for a winner. Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski missed a close-range alternative, whereas on the different finish, Oblak denied Raphinha after one other incisive move from Pedri.
Deep into stoppage time, Atletico discovered the breakthrough. Nahuel Molina delivered a pinpoint cross from the best, and Sorloth, who got here off the bench, hammered the ball house to safe all three factors.
“It feels unimaginable to lastly win right here at Barcelona since my arrival,” Oblak informed Movistar after the match. “We endured a tough begin, however we’re in nice type, and we managed to come back again after conceding.”
This victory was not solely essential for Atletico’s title ambitions but additionally historic for supervisor Diego Simeone. It marked his first-ever away win towards Barcelona in La Liga, a feat achieved via grit and perseverance.
Barcelona’s struggles proceed, with the defeat marking their third consecutive house league loss—their worst streak since 1987. The staff has now gained simply one among their final seven league matches, a hunch that threatens to derail their season.
“It is inexplicable… we had the sport in our arms and didn’t take benefit,” stated Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi. Pedri echoed the frustration, admitting, “It’s a troublesome defeat to take. While you don’t end a sport, that is what can occur.”
Regardless of the setback, supervisor Hansi Flick remained optimistic. “We are going to struggle for each level to win this league,” he stated. “That is how we wish to play sooner or later, so we’ll take this and produce it with us to subsequent yr.”
Atletico’s means to strike late has been a trademark of their marketing campaign, with the staff scoring within the ninetieth minute or later in 13 matches throughout all competitions this season. Sorloth, who has began simply seven league video games, is now the staff’s prime scorer with eight targets.
Simeone praised the Norwegian ahead’s contributions, saying, “His influence in these 20, 30, or 40-minute spells is extraordinary.”
Because the winter break approaches, Atletico sit firmly atop the desk, whereas Barcelona should regroup and deal with their faltering type. The race for the La Liga title guarantees to be fierce because the season progresses.