Barcelona picked up a crucial 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the 16th jornada of the Spanish League this season. An additional three points made Xavi Hernandez’s squad comfortable at the top of the standings.
Playing at Cívitas Metropolitano, Monday (9/1/2023) in the morning WIB, Barcelona’s only goal was scored in the 22nd minute. The combination of Pedri and Gavi produced a mature pass which was successfully completed by Ousmane Dembele.
This result led Barcelona to a three-point lead over Real Madrid in the standings. Barcelona collected 41 points, while Madrid 38 points. Meanwhile, Atletico are in fifth place with 27 points.
[Gambas:Opta]
The course of the match
Atletico gave the first threat in the 6th minute through Pablo Barrios’ long-range shot, but was saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Andreas Christensen replied with a similar attempt in the 9th minute, but was also cleared by Jan Oblak.
Barcelona opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Through individual action to break through the Atletico penalty box, Pedri fed Gavi, who then passed it on to Ousmane Dembele, who stood free on the right.
The French striker without hesitation immediately fired into the left corner of the goal which Oblak failed to save. Barcelona lead 1-0.
Dembele appeared as a Barcelona hero in the 22nd minute. Photo: AFP/THOMAS COEX |
Left behind by one goal, Atletico tried to reply. However, Jose Gimenez’s header went wide in the 33rd minute, followed by Nahuel Molina’s right-foot shot which met the same fate four minutes later.
Antoine Griezmann also attempted to score with a left-foot shot in the 42nd minute, but was saved by Ter Stegen. Score 1-0 for the visitors lasted until the break.
In the second half, Atletico again spread threats, but accuracy was again a problem. Joao Felix’s long-range shot in the 53rd minute bounced over the goal, as did Griezmann’s effort in the penalty box a minute later.
Barcelona is not silent. Sergio Busquets had a chance in the 63rd minute from a corner, but his header was not on target. Marcos Llorente took turns threatening Barcelona two minutes later, but his shot was pushed over by Ter Stegen.
Atletico tried to increase their power in attack by including Alvaro Morata and Angel Correa, but there was no positive impact. Goals still failed to attend.
Each team had to finish the game with 10 people after Stefan Savic and Ferran Torres were involved in physical contact in injury time. Barcelona successfully maintained a 1-0 win until the fight was over.
 The disgraceful actions of Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic led to red cards for both. Photo: AFP/THOMAS COEX |
Player lineup
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Molina, Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo (Reguilon 82′), Llorente, Koke (Lemar 73′), Barrios (Kondogbia 64′), Carrasco (Morata 65′), Griezmann, Joao Felix (Correa 74′) .
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Balde (Alonso 81′), Christensen, Araujo, Kounde, De Jong (Kessie 58′), Busquets (Sergi Roberto 81′), Gavi (Raphinha 73′), Pedri, Ansu Fati (Ferran 57′) , Dembele.
(adp/mrp)
