Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: 5 takeaways | LaLiga 2018-19

In a huge clash at the Wanda Metropolitano, league toppers Barcelona took on Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. Simeone has never won a league game at home against Barcelona, and was hoping to break that uninspiring record against a Barcelona side that was lacking in confidence after a humiliating defeat at the Camp Nou against Real Betis.

The home side had a lot of injury concerns, with their two best centre backs, Godin and Gimenez, missing out. Simeone went with his usual 4-4-2 formation, with Savic and Hernandez as centre backs .

After experimenting with a 4-3-3 formation for much of this season, Valverde went back to the much more successful 4-4-2 formation, with Semedo playing as a right back, and Roberto in the midfield.

Both teams had a solid first half as Madrid defended well and Barcelona maintained possession. Diego Costa scored the opener with a good header from close range, and Dembele equalised for Barcelona in the 90th minute. Here are 5 talking points from the match.

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#1 Atletico’s solid defence

Simeone transformed this team into a world class side by emphasising on a solid defensive back-line

Before Simeone took over this side, they were a decent unit winning some big matches once in a while, but they did not win any big trophies. Simeone transformed this team into a world class side by emphasising on a solid defensive back-line, and Godin has been at the heart of the defense for a long time now.

With Godin and Gimenez missing out on such a big game, all eyes were on Atletico’s defense. But the Atletico defense stood up to the task and managed to keep the Barcelona attack quiet for much of the game.

Savic and Hernandez did their job well by maintaining a very tight back-line, and did not give any space for Messi to drift in from the right wing. The four man midfield also helped out the defense by making timely clearances and pressing hard to win the ball. Lemar was particularly good with his pressing and defensive work.

#2 Dembele silences his critics

The finish was clinical under immense pressure

To be fair, there has been far too much criticism surrounding Dembele this season, and the main reason for all that hatred is his costly transfer from Borussia Dortmund. He might not be a typical Barca player, but his talent cannot be questioned, and he has shined for his team at crucial moments.

On Saturday, he was the saviour for Barcelona as he scored a last minute equaliser after a brilliant assist from Messi. He came in at the 80th minute, and troubled the Atletico defenders with his pace.

He was in a perfect position for that assist from Messi, and the finish was clinical under immense pressure. This goal alone won’t cement his place in the starting line-up, as there is still a lot of room for improvement in his game. He is still only 21, and is going to get better in time.

#3 The Costa and Griezmann combo

Costa and Griezmann feed off each other’s strengths

Like Dembele, Diego Costa has blown hot and cold for most parts of his stint at Atletico Madrid, but his experience is crucial in big matches, and once again he shone in a big encounter with a perfect header from close range.

He also did his work defensively by using his physical prowess to win aerial duels, and was decent with his passes, but Costa does not have the skill or dribbling abilities to get past defenders, and that is where Antoine Griezmann comes into play.

Costa and Griezmann feed off each other’s strengths, and on Saturday they once again combined well to help Atletico Madrid open the scoring.

Griezmann made a great run down the right wing and showed his vision by neatly picking out Costa who made a quick run into the box and headed the ball into the net . After a slow start to the season, Atletico are back to their best, thanks to Costa and Griezmann.

#4 Messi’s performance

He did not look at full throttle, but was still brilliant

After a brief injury layoff, Messi did not play anywhere near his best against Real Betis, despite bagging a brace. Against Atletico as well, he did not look at full throttle, but was still brilliant with his dribbling, and his passing was exquisite once again.

Even at 31, he looks unstoppable with the ball at his feet, as he made 3 brilliant runs past the Atletico defenders, but did not get proper reward for his work. The name still attracts defenders, and thus opens up a lot of empty spaces for his mates.

At the last minute, he made a great run into the box, and the Atletico defenders were preoccupied with him, and left Dembele unmarked. Messi showed his game awareness and neatly passed the ball to Dembele who equalised for Barcelona.

He is slowly coming back to his brilliant best, and Barcelona will need their main man to be in top form to progress further in the Champions League.

#5 Valverde’s tactics

Again, his strategy was not particularly impressive

Even after winning 3 major trophies, including a domestic double last season, Valverde continues to divide opinion among football experts and Barcelona fans alike. Again, his strategy was not particularly impressive last night, but he still escaped with a draw from a tough away game.

It’s time for him to decide on Roberto’s role in this team, as he looks more comfortable in the midfield than at left back position. But Semedo does not fill the requirements of a Barca player, and he is not particularly impressive with his crosses either.

Arturo Vidal also looks like an outsider in a midfield filled with talents such as Arthur, and he has the knack of losing the ball quickly, which won’t help Barcelona in any way. Finally, he has to finalise on one formation before the Champions League knockouts, as he has experimented with both 4-4-2 and 4-4-3 this season so far.