Barca come from behind to defeat Atletico despite Lewa's missed penalty

It could have been a great night in Barcelona, but not for the home team. With a possible win in Catalonya, Diego Simeone‘s Atletico Madrid would continue their fantastic form (six straight league wins) and they would even have the same number of points with the hosts (34). And it started that way, as Atletico again caught high pressing Barca‘s defensive line and took the lead after only 19 minutes. But it wasn‘t meant to be for Cholo Simeone again. Not only did his players allowed a Barca comeback, but they failed to make a comeback of their own, with several really great chances missed. In the end, they lost 3-1 and probably ended their title quest as they trail the Catalans six points now.

It wasn‘t Lamine Yamal‘s night, it wasn‘t even Robert Lewandowski‘s (missed a penalty and a sitter) but it was the trio of Pedri – Raphinha – Olmo which brought the victory, and Torres injury time goal only confirmed it. Pedri was the assistant and a motor in Barca‘s midfield, captain Raphinha came back from injury to score the goal and Olmo brought all three points before getting injured. Cholo Simeone will be looking at the replay of the game many times, in order to understand how Thiago Almada managed to miss the empty goal, and how the veteran Antoine Griezmann missed the ball completely in the penalty area.

The teams were trying to test each other in the first 15 minutes and the game wasn‘t so exciting then. But the next half an hour was as exciting as it can get. It all started in the 19th minute when Alejandro Baena broke another highly placed Barca defensive line and scored a goal. It was quickly denied due to an offside but then VAR intervened and indicated that everything was actually OK and suddenly, Camp Nou was in shock. But just seven minutes later, Barcelona equalized via Pedri – Raphinha combination. Pedri received the ball in midfield, Atletico had their line a little high, the Barca midfielder saw Raphinha, who ran down the right side, dribbled past rushed out Oblak and scored into an empty net. Everything looked fantastic for Barca and things got even better in the 35th minute when VAR confirmed a penalty for the home team. But nobody expected experienced Lewandowski to put the ball on the spot and then miss the whole goal completely. Injured Gavi and Fermin set next to each other and looked in dismay as the ball went way over the bar. It wasn‘t Lewandowski‘s night as the experience Pole missed a sitter just a minute later, although it has to be said that Oblak made a superb save.

Pedri, who was controlling the game for Barca also went down hurt after 70 minutes and Flick replaced him, with fans left hoping it was only a scare ahead of next week's important Champions League match against Frankfurt. Atletico substitute Thiago Almada had his team's best chance of equalizing but after bursting across the penalty area he lost balance and screwed his finish wide as Joan Garcia scrambled. Former Barca forward Antoine Griezmann had another opportunity for the visitors but mishit his shot. Oblak saved from Rashford in stoppage time before Alejandro Balde found Torres to cap Barca's win and claim his side three vital points in the title race while dealing Atletico's own ambitions a blow.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 19

Tuesday

Barcelona - Atletico Madrid 3-1 (1-1)

/Raphinha 26, Olmo 65 - Torres 90+6 - Baena 19/

Wednesday

21.00: (4.70) Athletic Bilbao (3.70) Real Madrid (1.85)

***odds are subject to change***

*The games have been brought forward due to their overlap with Supercopa de Espana*