FC Barcelona – Atlético de Madrid (2-2): The 5 lessons to learn from this spectacular draw

FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid separated in a spectacular draw (2-2) after an evening marked by “four” penalties.

The shock so much announced on the 33rd day of La Liga did not allow to choose a winner. Worse, Barça lost two crucial points in the title race while Real Madrid will have the opportunity to take four units ahead of the leaderboard Thursday. Quique Setién is more than ever on the hot seat.

La Liga’s top scorer, with 22 goals, scored the 700th goal of his career after an inspired panenka against Jan Oblak.

Failing to shine on the field, Lionel Messi has once again proved effective in allowing Blaugrana to lead to the score. Yet another achievement that places him a little more in the Pantheon of the greatest legends of football. However, Catalan fans are still expecting more from the Argentinian international, while Barça have just lost ground – again – to Real Madrid.

Intenable, capable of covering a large part of the field, not stingy with efforts, Riqui Puig displayed an attractive face in front of a team renowned for its muscular game.

Always available in the interplay, the young Catalan midfielder has never ceased to take responsibility for the organization, combining tirelessly with his partners to bring danger in attack. His numerous climbs in the zone of truth could have been rewarded without the vigilance of Jan Oblak. A high quality service.

Four. As the number of penalties whistled by Alejandro Hernandez during the match.

Whistle in the mouth, the match official never hesitated to designate the eleven-meter point despite sometimes light contact in the penalty area. Saul Niguez twice and Lionel Messi have shaken the opposing nets. Diego Costa is the big loser of this exercise after finding in the 16th minute the firm hand of Marc-André ter Stegen (penalty which was then withdrawn by Saul).

Under the impulse of Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, intractable in his left hall, Atlético discovered a new philosophy of play since the resumption of La Liga.

With new intentions, the men of Diego Siemone brought liveliness, commitment, and an unusual forward projection for a training accustomed to undergo before confinement. All the more attractive, this new approach is now bearing fruit while the Mattresses took 14 points out of 18 possible (4 wins and 2 draws).

With this new draw, the third in four games, FC Barcelona could clinch the standings in the event of a Real Madrid victory Thursday night against Getafe.

For their part, Red and White take a serious option for a qualification in the Champions League. Thomas Partey’s teammates also have a clear schedule for the next five days with a single trip that is more or less tricky to negotiate against Getafe (5th).