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

#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.