LA LIGA: Atletico Rally To Hold Barcelona 1-1
- Probaho Roy
- Sep 22, 2016
- 3 min read
Atletico Madrid snatched a point at Camp Nou as Lionel Messi limped off the field.
As the La Liga giants rekindled their rivalry, the football world witnessed a fine battle between the menacing attack of Barcelona and the resolute defence of Atletico.
Both sides were riding high with 5 star wins in their last matches. However, Barcelona missed their new recruit Samuel Umtiti due to injury. Javier Mascherano returned to partner Gerard Pique in the centre half. The teams relied on their usual 4-3-3 formation with Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar leading the Barca attack. For the away side, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, Kévin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann headed the three pronged attack.
The initial minutes of the match failed to get any shape as the visitors were happy to sit back. Barcelona were patient in their build up, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. The first chance fell to Atletico, courtesy a lightning fast counter attack. Gameiro looked set to score but his fierce shot was saved by Marc-André ter Stegen.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone unleashed the familiar high pressure strategy to close down the MSN trio. Simeone hit the jugular as he snapped the communication between the Barca attack and midfield.
Sensing the futility, the home team shifted to Plan B. The attack fizzled out as they kept trying to dribble past the defenders and attempting long rangers.
The goal came in the most un-Barca-esque fashion when Andres Iniesta acted the provider. His pinpoint cross from the left saw Ivan Rakitic react faster than any of the Atletico defenders to calmly head past Oblak in the 41st minute.
1-0 and Barcelona had their tails up as the first half ended.
Atletico Madrid started the 2nd half in a more positive fashion. Griezmann had tested ter Stegen in the opening minutes. The game was increasingly opening up, making the home side uneasy.
Thereafter, Barcelona suffered dual setbacks as Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi limped off the field. It seemed that the groin injury had come back to haunt the Argentine star.
Simeone smelled blood and made two quick changes at the hour mark. Fernando Torres came in for Saúl Ñíguez and Ángel Correa replaced Gameiro. The move made an impact within a minute as Torres flicked a ball on to Correa’s path following a brisk free kick. The Argentine completed the move to make it 1-1.
Correa snatched a point with his neat finish. Image courtesy: www.guardian.com
Following the equalizer, Barcelona squeezed hard to reclaim the lead. Neymar and Gerard Pique went close. The absence of Messi seemed to hit the Barca team hard. The movement through the middle had clearly gone haywire without the maestro.
Atletico on the other hand, held firm under the leadership of Diego Godin. They were close to take the lead when a menacingly dipping header from the Uruguayan was tipped over the bar. As the match neared its business end, the tackles flew in. Filipe Luis, Thomas Partey along with Griezmann and Suarez ended up in the referee’s book.
With this draw Barcelona remain at the 3rd position- 5 points behind the leaders Real Madrid who also drew earlier in the night against Villarreal. Atletico Madrid stay on 4th- just 1 point behind Barcelona.
Messi's injury will create deep furrows in Luis Enrique's plans. He is suspected to be out of action for 3 weeks. That means Enrique will be without his star player for the ties against Sporting Gijon, Celta Vigo and also the Champions League trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Teams:
Barcelona (4-3-3) : TerStegen; Roberto, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets (Andre Gomes,51), Iniesta; Messi (Turan,59), Suárez, Neymar
Atlético Madrid (4-3-3): Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godín, Luis; Saúl(Torres,60), Gabi, Koke; Griezmann, Gameiro(Correa,60). Carrasco (Thomas,73)
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