The story is so well known that it has become a classic: Atlético suffers, suffers, concedes a goal but ends up cooling an entire stadium. This is what happened at Montjuïc where, against FC Barcelona who failed to kill the match, the Colchoneros achieved an essential success in the quest for the title in the last seconds (2-1).
The FC Barcelona and theAtlético de Madrid shared first place in the championship at kick-off and this shock just before the end-of-year holidays looked like a potential turning point in this season, knowing that the Real Madrid is in ambush to overtake the two rivals.
At the end of a match where the Blaugranas did everything to win but also did everything to lose, the Colchoneros can celebrate Christmas early (2-1).
Pedri, much more than a scorer
Is it superstition? In any case, Barça attacked with their backs to the famous clock of the Olympic stadium while, during their two defeats against The Palms et Leganeshe had started opposite. What if Julian Alvarez began the first pressing on the relaunch ofIñaki Peñait was the Blaugranas who attacked head on. Placed on the right in the absence of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha was unable to head a first cross from the left (2nd) but he pushed Jan Oblak to a parade on the ground while all of Monjuïc already believed in the opening of the score (3rd).
Everything went through Pedro who focused the game mainly on his Brazilian captain, unleashed. Established on the left, Fermin Lopez was also able to highlight himself, on a returning center which aimed Robert Lewandowski but almost deceived Oblak, attentive to intercept this fleeing ball (12th).
Atleti did not put their nose to the window for the entire first quarter of an hour, until Giuliano Simeoneof the head, do not seek Antoine Griezmann without finding it but obtaining a corner which resulted in nothing (17th). Catalan control has resumed. Mounted to the forefront on a corner, Inigo Martinez found himself alone at the far post after a pushed ball and he shot hard but straight at Oblak (21st). On a corner played two-handed with Pedri, Raphinha found the head of Gavialone at the near post, but the midfielder did not hit the target (25th).
At some point, it had to break. And it came from Pedri, requesting a one-two with Gavi to pierce the Rojiblanca defense and open the scoring (30th). Half oriented control, half heel, Gavi proved right Hansi Flick to have established him to offer an additional and more physically consistent solution in the middle.
The waves followed one another, without causing any clear opportunities but enough to tighten the noose ever more. Only once was Atlético able to disrupt Barça. While Oblak was under pressure, the Colchoneros managed a magnificent ball release to project themselves onto the left side after a change of direction from Griezmann, the center of Javi Galan was cleared for a corner by Martínez while Álvarez was waiting for the offering from the left side (45th). Continuing on, on a second ball blocked by Pedri, the Blaugrana pressure almost paid but Raphinha, who went on goal with Fermín and Alejandro Balde in its wake was prevented from fixing Josema Gimenez after an impeccable tackle Pablo Barrios yet caught up (45th+1).
De Paul cools Montjuïc
A scathing statistic summed up Atlético's first period: 0.00 xG. It was therefore necessary to change plans to Diego Simeone especially in relation to the opposing offside line which canceled several possibilities.
However, the second act began like the first, except that it was the Catalan left side which was called upon. At the end of the action, Fermín had a 2-0 ball but Oblak saved his team (47th).
A few moments later, a new problem arose for the Colchoneros: Giménez lay down, hands on his face, injured and replaced by Axel Witsel (51st). The Belgian was immediately warned for a foul on Lewandowski, who came to play as a pivot before putting himself in a favorable position at the entrance to the area (53rd).
Barça continued its undermining work, even if Pedri did not hit the target from the left after a new Barcelona offensive (54th). The Canarian then had an inspiration to launch Raphinha who made life complicated by lobbing Oblak: the ball ricocheted off the crossbar (58th).
Atlético had not taken a single shot in the match and, obviously, on their first attempt, Rodrigo dePaulalone at the entrance to the area, took advantage of a poorly cleared ball to equalize with a curling shot from the right flush with Peña's left post (60th). A great colchonero classic!
Sörloth, a goal that will be worth a title?
Barça had just ruined an hour of very high quality in one action, guilty of not having been able to kill the match. After the entries of Soon et Nahuel Molinathese are Dani Olmo et Ferran Torres who made their appearances (64th).
Placed in orbit on the right side of the area, Raphinha collected a cross while Lewandowski had dived at the near post (66th). Intentional or not, a diving cross from the Brazilian scared Oblak, who was happy to see the ball go wide (67th).
Robin Le Normand et Alexander Sörloth replaced Griezmann and Marcos Llorente for money time (72nd). Barça continued to mess up with a very big G. Found by Raphinha at the far post, Ferran headed a caviar to Lewandowski who, we don't know how, missed the ball (75th). The Catalans, a few seconds later, almost lost everything after losing the ball 25 meters from their cages but Peña released Barrios' shot (76th). Out of breath, Marc Casadó left his place to Eric García (78e).
Once again the Blaugranas pushed: Olmo saw his right curl go wide then a volley from Raphinha was blocked for a corner (80th), as did a pivotal strike from Lewandowski (83rd). Still at the conclusion of a bright pass from Pedri, Raphinha ate the score sheet against Oblak (86th). Then it was the Canarian, connected by Olmo, who came up against the goalkeeper, perfect for closing his angle (87th).
And then, at the end of stoppage time, de Paul found himself on the right, he passed to Molina who, launched, crossed for Sörloth: the ball passed between the legs of Pau Cubarsi and the Norwegian did not miss the opportunity to offer a success which will be worth a lot at the end of the season when it comes time to do the accounts (90th+5).
This is Barça's third consecutive home defeat and this series demonstrates that it is not just a story of superstition: the Blaugrana are playing much too easy and forgetting realism. Against a team like Atlético, this sin is punished resoundingly.
