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Barcelona clinched the La Liga with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon to stay in the hunt for an unprecedented second treble. Lionel Messi scored the only goal of the game in the 65th minute to win Barcelona their 23rd La Liga title.
It was exactly a year since Atletico drew with Barcelona at the Camp Nou to lift the title but this time it was Barcelona who came away the victors. This was a Barcelona performance which was reminiscent of the tiki-taka with the Catalans keeping 77 percent of the ball.
Let us look at how the players performed on the night:
Atletico Madrid
Jan Oblak – 7/10
The 22-year-old made some incredible saves against a formidable Barcelona team. Saved a brilliant Messi free kick when the Argentine maestro tried to wrong foot him. Miguel Angel Moya’s injury put the youngster in the limelight and he has taken the chance with both hands. Moya will have to win his position back from the young Slovenian.
Juanfran – 6/10
Did not help his attackers as much as he usually does but that was due to the fact that Barcelona had a lot of the ball. Was decent defensively.
Diego Godin – 7/10
Did very well on the night as he restricted Messi and co. to shots from distance.
Jose Gimenez – 7/10
Was picked ahead of Miranda for such an important game and he did his reputation no harm. The 20-year-old has a brilliant future ahead of him in the game.
Guilherme Siqueira – 6/10
Did well defensively but again he was not able to get forward as much as he would have liked. Although he did have a shot from distance in the closing minutes of the game that had Bravo struggling.
Koke – 5/10
Wasn't at his usual best today. He did the running around but to no avail. Wasn't able to create any clear cut opportunities for his team.
Mario Suarez – 5/10
Was brought in for the injured Tiago but did not have any impact on the game offensively.
Gabi – 5/10
Like all the other midfielders in the Atletico side, Gabi struggled in the game as well. He is not able to recreate the magic we saw from him last season
Arda Turan – 5/10
Atletico’s big game player struggled in the game was well. Put in a good shift but was ineffective in attack.
Fernando Torres – 5/10
The Calderon’s hero was preferred over Mario Mandzukic upfront but was unable to make any notable impact on the game. He kept the Barcelona defenders on their toes and closed them down quickly but was starved of any good chances.
Antoine Griezmann – 6/10
Looked the likeliest to get something done. He tried (in vain) all game long but still well short of his brilliant performances that we have gotten used to.
Substitutes
Raul Garcia – 5/10
Came on in the 69th minute to bring some physicality in the game. However, he wasn't able to impact the game the way his manager would have liked.
Mario Mandzukic – 5/10
Came on for the las 20 minutes but did not receive service where he is effective.
Saul Niguez – NA
Hardly had any time to make an impact.
Barcelona
Claudio Bravo – 7/10
Made some two excellent saves in the first few minutes to keep the scores level. Was merely a spectator in the second half.
Dani Alves – 7/10
A brilliant display by the 32-year-old be it offensively or defensively. It will be interesting to see what lies in the future for the Brazillian.
Gerard Pique – 7/10
Was criticized a lot by fans and media alike for some of his performances but has been a rock at the back for Barcelona.
Javier Mascherano – 7/10
Has been brilliant for Barcelona this season. Took up intelligent positions to snuff out problems that might have caused his team any trouble.
Jordi Alba – 7/10
Excelled going forward and put in a few good crosses as well. Is definitely one of the best left-backs in the world.
Andres Iniesta – 7/10
It is still a surprise that he was criticized earlier in the season. Everything good that Barcelona did, went through him. Received a standing ovation from the Calderon when he was substituted.
Sergio Busquets – 7/10
Did very well against a physical Atletico. Broke up attacks and is one of the best in retaining possession for his team.
Ivan Rakitic – 8/10
His work rate is of the highest order. Kept helping his team in attack and in defence.
Pedro – 7/10
In for the in form Luis Suarez, Pedro did a good job leading the line of attack. Kept on making runs and keeping the Atletico center halves on their toes.
Lionel Messi – 9/10
Looked like a man on a mission. Atletico tried to mark him out of the game but once he started running with the ball at his feet he was virtually unplayable. Scored the winner with a well taken goal. Even hit the woodwork with a free-kick.
Neymar – 7/10
Should have scored when Messi put him through on goal against Oblak. Did well overall in the game.
Substitutes
Jeremy Mathieu – 6/10
Returning from an Achilles injury, Mathieu was given 10 minutes by his manager so that he can be in contention for the two finals coming up.
Xavi – N/A
Hardly had any time to make an impact.
Rafinha – N/A
Hardly had any time to make an impact.
