Pedri’s individuality, with a drive in the 22nd minute that dynamited the defensive structure of Atlético de Madrid and was transformed into the decisive goal by Ousmane Démbélé, made the difference at the Metropolitano in favor of Barcelona, with a victory saved in the final moments by Araujo and that highlights him in the leadership, three points above Real Madrid, second, while he is freed from the Matlaser team; one less rival in their aspirations to win LaLiga.
Defeated on Saturday by their immediate pursuer, the Blaugrana team took advantage of the opportunity in a match marked in red, the demand of which exceeds other challenges, because of the stage, because of the arrogance of the rival, because of the competitiveness that required from Barcelona, whose duel will not be remembered for its quality, nor for brilliant football, nor for a number of occasions, but because it won at the Metropolitano. He played with the clock when he had to, when he was most interested, in order to win. And he reaffirmed, above all, his first position in the table.
It is no longer in the focus, for example, of Atlético, at 14 points. And outside, even, of the places of the Champions League. He did not succeed with the reaction with which he responded to the 0-1 against, nor with the chances he had in the stretch between the goal in his goal and the break, when he really believed that he could win at Barça. Didn’t see it before.
It is not the Barcelona of other indisputable times. It doesn’t even come close. But his leadership is a condition he imposes. Still without Messi, always so decisive in the past, still without Robert Lewandowski, out of action due to the three-match ban, caution, respect, really fear, subjugated Simeone every time he faces him with his Atlético .
So latent almost always, so evident in the staging, as much as the alibi of the individualities possessed by the Blaugrana team can hide it, Atlético was a victim of its fear, so obsessed with preventing rather than proposing , with the short circuit that led to Pedri’s freedom, undetectable for the white-and-red plan. Simeone’s frame flew through the air with a movement as simple as a drive. From Peter Major words The Spanish international was delayed a few metres, took the ball and felt so liberated that he began a drive unattainable by any of the defenders who approached – never crossed – on his way into the box . When he felt the difficulty, he found Gavi next to him, who, in turn, found Démbélé further to his right, so alone, so comfortable, that his goal no longer admitted to doubt.
With the 0-1, Barça set the clock with the other football to ensure the victory, between the expulsion of Savic and Ferran Torres for getting involved in a fight, between the timely intervention of Araujo on the line to a strike from Griezmann, among the celebration of much more than a victory. Barcelona is more of a leader.
