By: Luis Imana
Barcelona took three gold points after beating Atlético de Madrid by the smallest difference in the stadium Metropolis Civitas for the 16th matchday of the league.
After Real Madrid’s defeat by Villarreal, the “culés” had an opportunity to break away from the meringues at the top of the tournament and they successfully took advantage of it.
The Azulgranas and ‘Colchoneros’ gave away a first and second leg. However, the visitor was to open the 22nd-minute goal through Ousmane Dembélé, who shone with an exquisite shot from the cross in Barça’s 1-0 draw.
Despite the fact that both teams created several dangerous situations, the participation of Marc-André ter Stegen and Jan Oblak under the three sticks prevented the score from undergoing a new variation.
The thrilling match ended in oblivion as Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic staged a fight that ended with both players being sent off at 92′.
In this way, Barcelona are three points clear of closest rivals Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish league, while Atlético de Madrid are increasingly falling away from the top spots in the competition.
“We knew it was a difficult field, Real Madrid had a puncture and it was an opportunity we had to seize. A controversial game, we started well and went through, but from then on they pressed very well, it was difficult for us to have the ball and create chances. In the second half we managed to control the game, although they came out very strong. Suffering in the end, but three very good points,” explained Sergio Busquets after the Barca win.
Xavi Hernández’s side have gone seven straight games without defeat in this Spanish league: six wins and one draw. The last time the Catalan team lost to Real Madrid in the local tournament was on October 16, 2022.
Furthermore, the Catalans are the team that have conceded the fewest goals in the main Iberian football tournament, with just six goals in sixteen games.
The word
Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona coach
“It’s important to stay clean. We got three points without playing that well. We have suffered and abused the return pass. The game was complex and difficult. It is an important team win.”