Atletico Madrid came from behind to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barcelona, claiming the top spot in La Liga on Saturday.
Pedri gave the Catalans the lead, but second-half goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Alexander Sorloth helped Diego Simeone’s side move three points clear at the summit, with Atletico having played one match fewer than Barcelona.
Hansi Flick’s side dominated at the Olympic Stadium, but Atletico held firm before Sorloth’s stoppage-time winner sealed their 12th consecutive victory across all competitions.
Barcelona started the season strongly but have faltered recently, winning just one of their last seven league games.
This defeat marked their third consecutive home league loss, their worst such run since 1987, and Simeone’s first-ever away league win against Barcelona.
Champions Real Madrid will face Sevilla on Sunday, with a chance to leapfrog Barcelona if they secure a victory.
“We’d never won at Barcelona since I arrived. At last, we’ve done it,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told Movistar.
“We suffered a lot, we started badly… but we are in very good form. We resisted, and after going a goal down, we knew how to hold on without conceding a second.”
Barcelona, missing their injured teenage star Lamine Yamal, controlled the first half and stifled Atletico with their pressing game, albeit without creating many clear-cut chances.
Raphinha missed an early header and saw another effort blocked, while Oblak saved a powerful strike from Iñigo Martínez.
The hosts appealed for a penalty when the ball struck Giovanni Simeone’s arm, but it would have been a harsh decision against the Atletico coach’s son.
Barcelona took the lead after 30 minutes, with Pedri both orchestrating and finishing the move. The Spain midfielder burst forward, passed to Gavi, who inadvertently nudged the ball back, allowing Pedri to surge into the box and slot past Oblak.
– Super-sub Sorloth Delivers –
Barcelona should have doubled their lead early in the second half. Fermin Lopez was denied by Oblak, and Raphinha hit the crossbar after a brilliant pass from Pedri.
Moments later, Atletico equalised when Marc Casado’s misjudged backheel clearance fell to De Paul, who fired a low effort into the bottom corner.
Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Robert Lewandowski missed a close-range chance, while Iñaki Peña denied Pablo Barrios at the other end.
Deep into stoppage time, Nahuel Molina delivered a pinpoint cross for Alexander Sorloth, who calmly struck to ensure Atletico would sit atop the table at Christmas.
AFP
