1 PURPOSE AND LOSS OF CONTROL
More pressure for Atleti to see off Real Sociedad and Betis victories. In Barça, same as before: score first to put the mattress team in a state of emergency.
In the rain and wind, the line-ups did not contain surprises but they did contain a tactical / strategic aspect as both Simeone and Xavi reloaded the midfield. Whoever gets out of the ‘herd’, cleanly, will put their forward in hope mode.
First whistle and the hosts in their own field at the mercy of the azulgranas’ control and passing. The scenario is clear, Atleti to hunt some counter and Barça to find the deep game. Ter Stegen will be watching, imminent danger for Oblak.
And it took 22 minutes to take place but then came the strange action: Pedri’s internal change of rhythm, Gavi’s drop for Dembélé and at 0-1 the Slovenian goalkeeper’s shallow stretch was saved. The first scoring may have consequences but they will not be as positive as the start for eleven Xavi. The ball is lost and to defend.
2 ATHLETES NO CENTER FORWARD
And Simeone’s team noted that they did not have Luis Suárez or reserve Morata in contention as Griezmann was mostly a midfielder (he was only one but was saved by Ter Stegen) and Joao Félix was almost always absent and had his back to the Blaugrana goal. Important advantage for Busquets, De Jong, Gavi, Araujo and Christensen.
If we dissect this first act, I get 25′ first minutes for Barça and 15′ finals for Atleti. The local team was different, bolder and more intimidating, as they started to press and the defenders were able to plant themselves in the midfield. It wasn’t Cholo’s plan but they looked at the score and Ousmane Dembélé’s goal put them in danger.
They did a few occasions but the shots were not from a specialist. A lot of anxiety, little temper to better choose the hits.
In rojiblanco mode, they lack 9 to come out of the central defenders, hold the ball with their backs and, in the visiting area, have a blow. Atleti only came from the outside but Koundé/Balde had Dembélé and Pedri as partners and grabbed the midfield attempts of Nahuel Molina, Llorente, Reinildo and Carrasco. In pairs it defends itself with greater security.
3 DECISIVE CENTER
The second half that proposed the most was Atleti but they lacked. Apart from a hugely missed header by Giménez, Ter Stegen and Barça could not smell the draw.
The minute ran out and the banks were shaking. Xavi to dominate again, leave his own field and try the final goal; Simeone to add more attacking players (Morata, Kondogbia, Correa, Lemar and Reguilón).
On the field are Ferran Torres, Kessié (De Jong has his eyes closed) and Raphinha leaving Sergi Roberto and Marcos Alonso for later. The last minutes were decisive because Atleti had played everything and so did Barça. The perfect opponent, Barça, did not come out, but the power and intuition -following the play- of Araujo did to save the leader of the tie. Griezmann sings it, the Uruguayan saves it on the line.
Christensen and Araujo brilliantly; Great Pedri asking for the ball to get the team out from behind.
Very supportive defensive work by the leader but the Barça that Xavi wants is not the one from yesterday.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
