Barcelona produced a formidable comeback to beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 and transfer 4 factors clear on the high of La Liga.
Alex Baena fired Atletico forward on Tuesday, however Raphinha equalised for the champions earlier than Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres slotted house to finish the guests’ run of 13 straight league video games with out defeat.
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Barca might need been extra snug had Robert Lewandowski not ballooned a first-half penalty over the bar.
Actual Madrid, who’re second, go to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, aiming to peg Barca again, whereas Diego Simeone’s Atletico are fourth, six factors behind the Catalans.
This was Barca’s fifth consecutive La Liga win after shedding the El Clasico in opposition to Madrid in October, however they haven’t shone constantly in that interval, and coming in opposition to a title rival, this show gave Flick’s facet a great addition.
They have been with out defender Ronald Araujo, who’s taking a psychological well being break, in line with Spanish stories, together with unwell midfielder Frenkie de Jong and the longer-term absentees.
After a 3-0 thrashing at Chelsea final week within the Champions League, adopted by a shaky win over Alaves to assert pole place in La Liga, nerves have been jangling at Camp Nou.
Following a tense begin, Atletico took the lead with, predictably, a ball in behind Barcelona’s persistently excessive line of defense.
Baena scampered via on aim and beat Joan Garcia, barely celebrating as a result of he may sense the linesman’s raised flag behind him.
Nonetheless, a VAR assessment confirmed the Spaniard was degree with Pau Cubarsi when he broke, and the aim was reinstated.
Barcelona responded quickly and levelled within the twenty sixth minute, when Pedri, again match to begin, performed in Raphinha.
The Brazilian winger, one other participant just lately again from damage, took the ball round Jan Oblak and slid it into the empty web.
Barca ought to have taken the lead, however Lewandowski spurned a penalty, blazing excessive and large of Oblak’s aim after Pablo Barrios introduced down Dani Olmo.
The Polish veteran virtually made amends moments later, however Oblak brilliantly clawed out his header from Lamine Yamal’s cross.
Raphinha pulled an effort large early within the second half, when he ought to have hit the goal, and Giuliano Simeone couldn’t get a clear shot away with the aim beckoning on the different finish.
Olmo, who netted twice in opposition to Alaves on Saturday, despatched Barcelona forward with a slick end after Lewandowski managed to bundle the ball into his path.
Olmo, a playmaker who has struggled for consistency at Barca amid varied bodily issues, sustained a shoulder damage as he scored and was changed by Marcus Rashford.
Pedri, who was controlling the sport for Barca, additionally went down damage after 70 minutes, and Flick changed him, with followers left hoping it was solely a scare forward of subsequent week’s essential Champions League match in opposition to Frankfurt.
Atletico substitute Thiago Almada had his group’s greatest probability of equalising, however after bursting throughout the penalty space, he misplaced stability and screwed his end large as Joan Garcia scrambled.
Oblak saved from Rashford in stoppage time, earlier than Alejandro Balde discovered Torres to cap Barca’s win and declare his facet three very important factors within the title race whereas dealing Atletico’s personal ambitions a blow.
Raphinha praised Barcelona’s resilience in coming again to get the win.
“The essential factor is to consider within the work. We all know this will occur in a whole lot of video games [falling behind], however we’re ready to return from behind,” the Barcelona captain advised Movistar.
“We’re selecting up our confidence. We knew this was a key sport. Three factors are crucial and will resolve the league.
Atletico’s keeper stated he was upset by his facet’s spurned alternatives.
“We wanted to attain extra targets. Barcelona performed nicely at this time and had a lot of possibilities. We had two possibilities to equalise, nevertheless it wasn’t attainable,” Oblak advised Movistar.
“Their inside play was inflicting us issues. They managed to seek out the areas, they usually precipitated us a lot of issues.”
