In the advance, Alex Baena deceives Simeone’s team. Then Raphinha, Dani Olmo (who later got hurt) and Ferran signed the comeback. Lewandowski misses a penalty. Blaugrana for now at +4 on Real Madrid, Colchoneros at -6
Barcelona’s fifth comeback in this Liga is worth gold. It is needed to give morale to a team that is always fragile defensively and to beat Atletico, who arrived at Camp Nou on the back of 7 victories in a row between Spain and Europe. The match between the best attack and the best defense ended 3-1, a very brilliant match, with Flick extending his lead to +6 on Simeone, who remains fourth (here is the ranking). In the middle there are Madrid (-4) and Villarreal (-5). It was a preview of the 19th matchday and tonight there is another quality one: Athletic Bilbao-Real Madrid. These are the top 4 teams from last Liga who will go to Arabia to play the Super Cup in January.
THE GOALS
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Atletico took the lead for the 15th time out of 15 in this Liga with Alex Baena launched behind the high and exposed Blaugrana defence, a nice touch from the winger to cancel out Joan García’s exit. The referee cancels it for offside, the VAR corrects it (19′). Barça equalized through Raphinha, who moved to the right to receive a surgical cut from the magician Pedri Potter (26′). Barrios knocks out Dani Olmo, Lewandowski goes to the spot and as against Sevilla he doesn’t get on target, with the ball unfortunately flying very high. After the break, Barça completed their ‘remuntada’ with a goal from Dani Olmo in an action started by Pedri and seasoned with a triangle with Lewandowski (65′). The former Leipzig player scores with a nice diagonal shot but falls badly and his shoulder comes out. Olmo was out of action as was Pedri shortly afterwards, two opportunities for Thiago Almada and Griezmann and in injury time Ferran Torres, inserted for the dull Lewandowski, secured the result with an assist from Balde served by the excellent Rashford, who came on for Dani Olmo.
END OF SERIES
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Atletico achieved very little despite the various attempts of Cholo, who started with Alex Baena and Julian Alvarez and then inserted Sorloth, Griezmann, Almada and Gallagher. Little pace, clarity only at times and a defeat that weighs and closes a beautiful series of victories.
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