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FC Barcelona welcomed Atletico Madrid to Camp Nou with both teams' hopes of La Liga title hanging in balance. In a scrappy game, where both teams dominated a half each, Barcelona emerged as winners courtesy a Leo Messi goal.
The first half saw Barcelona control the proceedings. Atletico never even had a sniff at goal, such was Barcelona's domination. Lionel Messi curled one over a high jumping wall into the top corner to give FC Barcelona the lead. However, disappointingly, Andres Iniesta had to be taken off due to injury.
The second half saw Atletico come out with all their guns blazing. They dominated the possession. However, that was about it that they could manage. Marshaled by Gerard Pique, Barcelona saw out the game against a resurgent and willing Atletico Madrid.
Let's take a look at how the players fared for their respective teams:
Atletico Madrid
Jan Oblak: 7/10
The Atletico Madrid custodian was a solid presence at the back. He was called into action quite often and did well on all occasions. He made excellent stops throughout the match to keep his team in the game. Maybe he could have done better with Messi's freekick had he made his mind up regarding which side to go a moment earlier.
Sime Vrsaljko: 5.5/10
This was not a match he would like to remember as he was beaten quite often by Iniesta and Alba combination. Additionally, he was also disappointing in the attack. If Atletico wants to win the next few matches, they need Vrsaljko firing on full throttle rather than his performance in today's match
Jose Gimenez: 8/10
The centre-back, like his defensive partners, was always alert to the dangers Barcelona players posed to his goal and was ever-ready to deal with them. He never gave an inch of space to anyone in and around the penalty box.
Diego Godin: 7/10
Godin put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Suarez and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles to keep Atletico in the game. However, his age seems to be catching up now.
Felipe Luis: 6/10
Luis defended his team's left flank quite diligently. He was alert and always ready to go into a tackle. However, he was quite often overwhelmed by the Coutinho and Roberto combo in the first half. In the second half, he was well marked out of the game by Andre Gomes and had almost zero effects on the proceedings.
Saul Niguez: 5.5/10
Saul looked sharp in possession and enjoyed the ball at his feet. However, he just could not deliver the end product. For all the numerical advantages in possession that Atletico had, Saul could not guide it into a positive result too.
Thomas Partey: 7/10
This was not a flashy performance for the Ghana midfielder, however, it was an effective one. He dispossessed Barcelona’s midfielders quite a few times and used the ball efficiently.
Gabi: 5.5/10
Like his partner in the middle, he too was solid defensively but looked ineffective on the few occasions he pushed forward. However, the second half saw him fade away before being replaced in search of a goal.
Koke: 6.5/10
Koke had a decent game. Though he was not much influential in the first half, he came out on top in the midfield battle against Barca’s midfield after the restart. His distribution was efficient if not eye-catching.
Antoine Griezmann: 4.5/10
If this was any sort of audition for a summer transfer to FC Barcelona, he failed miserably. He went anonymous in the first half while looking clueless in the second. This might as well be his worst performance of the season.
Diego Costa: 5/10
Diego worked hard and tirelessly, but could not get the better of Gerard Pique. His decision making was quite erratic and he never could get into any decent attacking positions or deliver a decent final ball.
Substitutes
Angel Correa: 7/10
His introduction did add a spark to Atletico's attack. He was always available for a pass and often made the right decisions with it.
Kevin Gamiero: 5/10
Brought on By Cholo Simeone in search of a goal, he could not do anything of note to change the scoreline. he did score once only for the flag to be raised after Costa was judged offside previously.
Lucas Hernandez: 6/10
On for a disappointing Felipe Luis, he certainly fared a bit better than his predecessor. However, with such little time afforded to him, there was little of note that he could have done.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: 6.5/10
He was not tested much, except for a few shots that were aimed directly at him. He commanded his area well and in general looked calm under pressure and distributed the ball accurately and sensibly.
Roberto: 8/10
The makeshift right-back was solid in defence and ever willing to join the attack whenever called upon. His passing was crisp and he made a few interesting runs on the right flank for Barcelona.
Gerard Pique: 9/10
Pique had a great game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks and clearances and was a calm head in the heart of the Barcelona defence. He marshalled Diego Costa expertly and never allowed him even an inch of space.
Samuel Umtiti: 7.5/10
Umtiti put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Costa and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles throughout the game and was efficient at taking the ball out of defence too.
Jordi Alba: 7/10
He did fairly well against Saul and defended well in general and was probably one of the better Barcelona defenders of the night. Offensively, he was decent but not quite on the level he has been on throughout the season.
Philipe Coutinho: 6.5/10
This was a decent game from this season's winter signing. Coutinho started out on right before drifting on to the left-hand side of the midfield. He came up with a few nifty turns and touches and linked well with Messi and Suarez.
Sergio Busquets: 8/10
Another typical Busquets performance. He shielded the back four, broke up play and played the role of a deep-lying playmaker. He will be looking forward to lifting another La Liga with Barcelona knowing that he had a big part to play in it.
Ivan Rakitic: 7.5/10
The Croatian International was influential throughout the game. He broke plays and started attacks from his own half. This was a good commanding display from him in the middle of the park.
Iniesta: 7/10
The World Cup winner looked sharp and dictated things for Barcelona from the midfield. His turns and touches were delightful to watch and suggested that he may have a few years worth of top-level football in his tank. Unlucky to be taken off due to another injury setback.
Luis Suarez: 6/10
Luis Suarez looked dangerous with the ball but his finishing radar was quite off. He was involved in the build-ups and looked sharp. He often dropped deep to help his midfield and combined well with his teams mates.
Lionel Messi: 8/10
La Liga's top scorer of the season, Leo Messi was on fire today, especially in the first half. His fine finishing from outside of the box with a well-struck freekick wrapped up the proceedings for Barcelona.
Substitutes
Andre Gomes: 6.5/10
This was a decent game from the last season's summer signing. He did not do much of note but kept things tidy and defended well with the team when required. He marked Felipe Luis out of the game.
Paulinho: 5/10
He was a late introduction in place of Coutinho. Though not afforded much time, his introduction helped Barcelona defend better.
