But : Pedri (30e) for Barça // By Paul (60e) and Sørloth (90e+6) for the Colchoneros
Hard, hard, hard… Dominant and logically in front at half-time, Barça was turned back on the gong by Atlético who had not taken a shot in the first 45 minutes. The Catalans, for their part, tirelessly came up against Jan Oblak, in great form, and left their first place to the visitors for the winter break. Result ? A third home defeat in a row for FC Barcelona, while the Colchoneros continue their unbeaten streak with twelve consecutive victories.
Pedri the Magnificent
Unsurprisingly, Barça takes the game directly into its own hands. Eager to make up for it after two last pitiful outings in front of their audience, the Blaugrana launch the offensive without delay with Pedri as a launching pad. In the absence of Lamine Yamal, number 8 breaks lines… But Fermín López's cross arrives a bit behind for Raphinha, although in an ideal position (3e). The midfielder continues to set fire to the Madrid rearguard, but Conor Gallagher lets his feet drag on to preserve the score. Barça multiplies the centers for the great Robert Lewandowski, except that there is always a Mattress maker to disturb him. Jan Oblak is also vigilant on a nice recovery from Íñigo Martínez (22e), and Gavi misses the target with a powerful header (25e), the threat gradually becoming clearer. The conductor Pedri Gonzalez then takes his responsibilities, with the baton and the stove in order to perforate by returning to the axis, alert Gavi of a lucky one-two to place a flat foot in complete tranquility (1-0, 30e).
Atlético therefore resolves to reveal itself a little, in the second half. For the happiness of Pedri, this time finding Fermin López in the area, who cannot apply himself and comes up against Oblak (47e). A few minutes later, the Golden Boy 2021 this time puts Raphinha into orbit, whose lob falls on the crossbar (57e). Atlético seemed to be in dire straits, until an acceleration from Javi Galán and a poorly cleared cross by Marc Casadó which benefited Rodri De Paul on the edge of the area (1-1, 60e). Atlético came back to score with their second shot on target of the match. Morality? Never sell the skin of Cholo before killing her.
Sørloth laughed Terrible
The meeting can finally get underway, but Lewandowski screws up at point blank range on a caviar from Ferran Torres. Then Peña got away with it, facing Pablo Barrios (75e). Dani Olmo also took advantage of the show to stand out, being caught before moving on to his sombrero and opening his foot too much after a nice sequence in the area (80e). Dani finally offers the match point to Raphinha with a sumptuous whipped pass, but the Brazilian misplays the shot and impales Oblak (86e).
Rebelote on the next action, the Slovak goalkeeper disgusting this time Pedri from close range (87e). Barça lacks the imagination to regain the advantage, and Atlético severely punishes this lack of character. In the final seconds of the match, Nahuel Molina is thrown deep: his center finds Alexander Sørloth, who crucifies the Catalans (1-2, 90e+6). Atlético therefore steals the throne from the people of Barcelona, and will spend the holidays warm.
Prediction Barcelona Atlético de Madrid: Analyse, sides and predictions of the Liga match
