Atlético Madrid have moved to the summit of La Liga with a stunning 2-1 victory away to FC Barcelona. Los Colchoneros had not previously won away to the Catalans under Diego Simeone, and in doing so break an 18-year-old winless curse.
In a game totally dominated by the youthful and dynamic Barça midfield, a win for Los Rojiblancos looked out of the question at half-time. Atleti had yet to overturn a match away from home when conceding first this season, and the last time they did that away to Barcelona was in 1987.
Jan Oblak stopped the home side from putting the game beyond Atleti, which allowed Rodrigo De Paul to equalise and Alexander Sørloth, at the death, to snatch the victory, sparking jubilation on the red and white bench. The victory is Atleti’s seventh on the bounce in LaLiga and 12th in a row in all competitions.
Player Ratings
Jan Oblak 9: All hail the great San Jan. Without him, this could have been an embarrassing loss.
Marcos Llorente (subbed off 73′) 5: Had little to do with Barça’s assault being directed towards his opposite flank. Wasn’t able to get away and stride down the right like we’re used to seeing him do.
Josema Giménez (51′) 7: The reason why the half-time deficit was only one goal. Ever-present to clear at the last moment to save Atleti’s blushes. Asked to be substituted early in the second half.
Clément Lenglet 7: Playing against his parent club, the Frenchman produced another performance which is, for now, keeping Robin Le Normand out of the starting 11.
Javi Galán 4: Was given the complete run-around by Raphinha as Barcelona looked to pinpoint him as a weak link. Was bailed out numerously by his center-backs and goalkeeper.
Giuliano Simeone (62′) 4: Wasn’t his game to play with the flow of the match going primarily down Atleti’s left.
Rodrigo de Paul 7: El Motorcito was completely out-played by Pedri in the first half, but scored his third league goal of the season with his team’s first shot on target to equalise the game.
Pablo Barrios 6: Playing against fellow young Spanish center-midfielders, Barrios was shown that he is still one level off being able to be in the same conversation as Pedri and Gavi.
Conor Gallagher (62′) 5: Stuck helping Galán in a deep position, limiting his contribution to the game. Showed some nice touches and switches of play when Atleti attempted to play out from the back.
Antoine Griezmann (73′) 5: El Principito’s drought against his former club continues. His impact thwarted by a young and vibrant Barcelona midfield. Time to get a good mid-season rest in, before (potentially) his last few months at the club.
Julián Álvarez 6: His charging run down the left produced the opportunity for de Paul to score the equaliser. Apart from that, the Argentine could do little else but get stuck in with the backs-to-the-wall defensive efforts.
Subs
Axel Witsel (51′) 7: Held his own, albeit shakily, to keep Robert Lewandowski quiet for the remainder of the match.
Koke (62′) 5: Brought on to sit and provide another line of defence, our captain was given a lesson by Dani Olmo, but remained resolute when absolutely needed to.
Nahuel Molina (62′) 7: Has provided the assist for the winning goal in the last two matches which furthers his case for a place back in the starting lineup.
Alexander Sørloth (73′) 7: The Norwegian scores the winner (again), capitalising on a great Molina cross (again) to pardon his earlier big chances missed (again).
✨ Alexander Sørloth has won Atlético Madrid 15 points out of 41 in La Liga this season:
– Scores equalizer against Villarreal
– Assists late winner against Bilbao
– Assists equalizer against Rayo
– Scores equalizer and scores goal to secure win against Leganes
– Scores to… pic.twitter.com/etuZYuOcUA— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) December 22, 2024
Robin Le Normand (73′) 6: Came on as part of a three-man defence that gave order and structure to a tiring Lenglet and a shaky-looking Witsel.
Poll
Mattress Maker of the Match at Barcelona: