Welcome back to TalkBarca. Our topic for today is the Match Review of Atletico Madrid vs FC Barcelona. Barcelona went away to the Wanda Metropolitano to face a very difficult side of Atletico Madrid. Every Barca fan was worried about this game considering Barcelona’s sloppy form in La Liga. The worries actually proved to be true as Barcelona lost against Atletico Madrid and lost all 3 points. Here is the Match Review of the game divided into First and Second Half individually.
ATLETICO MADRID VS FC BARCELONA MATCH REVIEW
FC Barcelona knew that the job they were up for is not that simple. Ronald Koemann looked as if he had come prepared, but fall short by only one goal in the end.
FIRST HALF
Barcelona started the game very strongly. In fact, this was one of the strongest away starts of the season. Barcelona had Atletico Madrid worried on a few occasions. However, Atletico was able to create chances as well. Atleti had two great goal scoring opportunities in the first half. However, Marc Andre Ter Stegen’s brilliance saved Barca on one occasion. Atletico was unlucky with their second chance as the ball hit the woodwork.
Barcelona continued strongly and kept of troubling the mighty Atletico Madrid defense. Ousmane Dembele proved to be the best attacker on the pitch from FC Barcelona. He was very creative, and his off the ball movements seemed to trouble the opposition defenders a lot. However, Barcelona failed to convert any chance. Jordi Alba set up Lionel Messi with a great goal scoring opportunity. However, the Argentine could not live up to the expectations.
The worse moment for FC Barcelona came off during the ending moments of the first half where Yannick Carrasco was able to score a goal. Carrasco megged the FC Barcelona and German International Goalkeeper, Ter Stegen, and scored in an open net. This is something we do not see very often from Ter Stegen. However, the German was at fault there so he has no one to blame for that. Atletico ended the first half with huge confidence as they had grabbed the lead.
FC Barcelona was very good overall. The defense was very organized as well and the attack was very sharp too. However, there were a few things that could be better in the attack specifically. Barcelona could have and should have created more chances. Furthermore, it is also very important to convert what you create which FC Barcelona did not. Therefore, Barcelona failed to register any goal and conceded one at the end. Overall, an okay performance from the visitors.
FIRST HALF: ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA
SECOND HALF
Barcelona was supposed to come out with more energy and a winning mentality in the second half. However, they were not as good as they were in the first half. The Catalans lacked severely in creativity and creating chances. The two major changes came in front of Lenget and Griezmann. However, Oblak was very comfortable in saving both of those.
The worst thing that happened to the Blaugranas was Gerrard Pique’s injury. Pique got a severe knee injury and it looks as if the Spaniard’s season or even his career is over. This is one big blow to a team that is already struggling in the competition.
Barcelona does not seem to do very well in La Liga. This defeat is going to hurt them unless the team picks up severe winning momentum. Barcelona definitely needs to get back on track soon. Otherwise, they can forget being La Liga champions this season, too.
FULL TIME: ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 FC BARCELONA
