34′
9:38 p.m
Yellow card for Axel Witsel (Atlético Madrid)
Witsel is duped by João Félix, whereupon the Belgian kicks the Portuguese in the legs and is rightly warned.
33′
9:38 p.m
Moloney hits a free kick from a half-right position towards the penalty area, but it lacks a little length. Barca are able to clear, but Griezmann gives the attack more momentum with a diagonal ball to the left side. Morata serves Mario Hermoso, who shoots from 16 meters in a half-left position, but puts the ball one meter next to the far post.
31′
9:35 p.m
Yellow card for José Giménez (Atlético Madrid)
The central defender receives a somewhat petty warning after an aerial duel against Lewandowski. The Atlético professional hit his opponent a little in the back with his knee and also used his elbow, but the scene wasn’t bad.
28′
9:32 p.m
Great for FC Barcelona, 1-0 by João Félix
FC Barcelona is leading – and that is well deserved. Raphinha moves from the right side into the center and drives the ball towards the penalty area. The Brazilian sees João Félix, who is running on the left, who only has Oblak in front of him and overcomes him with a fantastic lift. The Portuguese should be particularly happy about such a goal against his former club.
27′
9:31 p.m
João Félix is pushed from behind by Nahuel Molina and collides with Witsel. There are hardly any winners in this situation because Félix doesn’t get the free kick and Witsel lies injured on the floor. But things seem to be able to continue for the Belgian.
25′
9:30 p.m
FC Barcelona has 66 percent possession and attacks practically non-stop. Koundé has just won a corner, which is why the big players are moving forward. However, Raphinha briefly executes the standard, after which the situation peters out and ultimately even affects keeper Iñaki Peña, who is replacing the still injured ter Stegen.
23′
9:27 p.m
Lewandowski passes a ball in midfield into the path of Pedri, who would have found plenty of space in front of him if the sprint duel against an Atlético defender had gone in his favor. However, the young Spaniard was also a few meters behind.
21′
9:25 p.m
Atlético dares to move forward. Griezmann receives a through pass from de Paul and can cross into the middle near the baseline. However, the cross finds no taker. In addition, Griezmann was offside when the Argentine passed.
19′
9:24 p.m
FC Barcelona is completely unrecognizable compared to the last La Liga games. The Catalans put on endless pressure and hardly gave Atlético any room to breathe. All Madrilenians defend in their own half. The right side with Koundé and Raphinha is particularly pleasing.
17′
9:20 p.m
Cancelo comes a fraction of a second too late in the duel against Molina and thus causes a free kick from a half-right position. Griezmann crosses the ball into the middle, but Ronald Araújo is able to clear it with his head.
15′
9:19 p.m
İlkay Gündoğan plays a remarkable chip pass into the penalty area from the left half field. Robert Lewandowski is once again in the center, but his head misses the pass by a few centimeters.
13′
9:17 p.m
Lewandowski has made it 1-0 for the third time! Raphinha passes the ball on the right to Koundé, who hits a cross from the baseline that lands on Lewandowski’s foot. However, the attacker hits the half-high ball with his shin, which is why his shot from eight meters misses the goal.
10′
9:15 p.m
Diego Simeone is already at working temperature on the sidelines. Of course, the coach can’t be happy with his team’s erratic and uncertain performance so far. Barcelona haven’t exactly been able to shine with lightning starts this season, but they’re playing very well here today, which took Atlético a little by surprise.
7′
9:12 p.m
Next mega opportunity for Barca! After an outstanding half-field cross from Raphinha with a lot of cutting to the goal, Lewandowski is completely blank five meters in front of the goal. However, the Pole hits the ball awkwardly with his head, which is why it tends to fly away from the goal. Much more was possible.
5′
9:10 p.m
Atlético Madrid also becomes dangerous early in the game. After a remarkable back-heel trick from Llorente, Molina appears half-right in the penalty area and has a free position to shoot from ten meters. However, he hits the ball improperly and cannot bring it onto the goal. Ronald Araújo is also there to clarify.
3′
9:08 p.m
FC Barcelona is awake from the start. Lewandowski was just found ten meters from the goal in a central position. The center forward doesn’t hesitate for long and finishes. However, Mario Hermoso intervenes and is just able to deflect the shot.
2′
9:06 p.m
FC Barcelona has their first big opportunity! Raphinha plays a one-two with Pedri on the right in front of the penalty area and receives the ball precisely through the line. Half-right in front of keeper Oblak, he tries a shot into the far corner, but it misses the post.
1′
9:05 p.m
The game is underway. FC Barcelona wears dark blue and red striped jerseys. Atlético is dressed in red and white.
8:59 p.m
The two teams will meet each other for the 220th time today. In a direct comparison, FC Barcelona leads with 98 wins, 52 draws and 69 defeats. The two teams have now stepped onto the lawn and are soaking up the late evening atmosphere. You can start in just a few moments.
8:45 p.m
Atlético coach Diego Simeone follows Xavi’s example and leaves his team unchanged compared to the 3-1 win against Feyenoord Rotterdam. Accordingly, today’s guest will probably again play in a 5-3-2 system with the dual leadership of Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata. The main focus is on the brilliant Griezmann, who will certainly be particularly motivated against his former club.
8:35 p.m
Barca coach Xavi does not change the starting eleven compared to the 2-1 win against FC Porto and trusts the same eleven men. It is noticeable that the coach is again relying more on experience and is leaving talents like Lamine Yamal and Fermín López on the bench. Despite Gavi’s injury, the midfield, consisting of Pedri, İlkay Gündoğan and Frenkie de Jong, is the team’s showpiece. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski, on the other hand, is still looking for his form this season.
20:22
Atlético Madrid are seven points behind the top of the table, but have two fewer games in their account than Real and Girona. Accordingly, Diego Simeone’s team is playing at the front, although a win in today’s duel between the pursuers would be quite important. Atlético is in strong form and has won its last four competitive games. Since mid-September, they have only lost out to the underdog Las Palmas. However, things are going very well, especially at international level, as the 6-0 against Celtic Glasgow and the 3-1 at Feyenoord Rotterdam prove.
20:12
FC Barcelona is under a lot of pressure as fourth in the table. Only with a win today could we get within four points of Real Madrid and Girona. There would also be the possibility of overtaking Atlético Madrid. However, the Catalans are struggling quite a bit through the season. Since mid-September, Xavi’s team has not won a game by more than one goal difference. Most recently in the league there was a narrow 2-1 win against Alavés and a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano. In the Champions League, after the defeat against Shakhtar, they were able to secure progression with a 2-1 win against Porto.
8:05 p.m
Hello and welcome to the La Liga top game. This Sunday evening, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid meet. Kick-off is at 9 p.m.