Atletico border past Barca to earn subject boost
Atletico Madrid delivered a significant boost to their hopes of winning La Liga on Saturday by beating Barcelona 1-0 and consigning their opponents with their worst start to a league time of year in 29 years.
Yannick Carrasco finished brilliantly from spectrum after blunders from Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre ter Stegen kept the goal gaping but Barca, and a below-par Lionel Messi, didn't respond at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Instead, Atletico recorded their initial league success over Barcelona in a decade, which sets them three points before True Madrid, with a casino game at hand, and second in the desk, level on items with early leaders True Sociedad.
It also leaves their opponents languishing found in 10th, with Barcelona’s 11 items from their initial eight game titles their worst tally at this time because the 1991-92 season.
“Like any coach, I am responsible,” said coach Ronald Koeman. “We realize we have to enhance the results. I continue to trust the players I have.”
Real Madrid had previous been placed to a 1-1 draw by in-form Villarreal, another slip-up for the reigning champions to enforce the sense that could possibly be Atletico’s year.
And beating Barcelona in La Liga for the first time since 2010 - before Simeone arrived as instructor - will do miracles for the team’s belief and extends what is now a significant advantage in the table.
In addition, it extends Atletico’s unbeaten work in the little league to 24 matches.
“Today we could actually win but it absolutely doesn’t modification anything,” said Simeone. “We’re working very well and I’m excited about this team.”
Another disappointing day for Barca was soured additionally simply by the sight of Pique hobbling away in tears using what the club said was a “sprained most suitable knee”.
Pique was hurt throughout a collision with Angel Correa and was first in distress while he departed.
“I am worried,” explained Koeman. “A whole lot of destruction has been done.”
Antoine Griezmann almost put Barca in front against his older club even though Marcos Llorente went closest for Atletico, skimming the crossbar after a good neat exchange between Kieran Trippier and Correa straight down the right.
Messi may have scored but was uncharacteristically hesitant, with a straight half about to finish goalless until two problems gifted Atletico the business lead.
Pique was first caught out of posture after a heavy feel and Mario Hermoso did well to no cost Carrasco. Ter Stegen, previously upfield, rushed out to fill the gap Pique experienced left but Carrasco’s first feel feathered the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs before a curling surface finish from 50 yards sent the ball into the open net.
Clement Lenglet should have equalised but headed Messi’s cross straight at Jan Oblak yet Barcelona were definately not dominant and Messi struggled for his usual affect.
Philippe Coutinho came on and Pique hobbled off. Messi floated a free-kick wide and saw a shot blocked before alternative Martin Braithwaite was presented with a late probability after a poor kick by Oblak. But Barca were not able to discover a way through.
- Real slip up again -
Earlier, a patched-up True Madrid had to hang on for a pull against Villarreal.
Mariano Diaz gave Madrid the business lead after just 105 seconds but Zinedine Zidane’s staff faded in La Ceramica and Villarreal claimed a deserved level through Gerard Moreno’s second-half penalty.
“It feels like a small reward,” said Zidane. “We deserved extra today for the overall game we enjoyed. I’m annoyed as a result of your time and effort from the boys.”
Mariano was nearly sold last summer but had to stand set for Karim Benzema, who's injured, and Luka Jovic, who tested great for coronavirus on Friday.
Sergio Ramos, Eder Militao and Casemiro were all missing following international break, leaving Nacho Fernandez and an unfit Raphael Varane to fill in at the trunk, while Martin Odegaard manufactured a rare start in midfield.
Given the absentees, a pull might not exactly worry Zidane an excessive amount of, particularly against a buoyant Villarreal side who sat second at kick-off after several victories on the bounce.
But another slide means Madrid have finally won only three of their last seven games in every competitions, with an essential go to to Inter Milan to come in the Champions Group on Wednesday.
