Always a feisty encounter, Atletico Madrid fans have fond memories of visiting the Camp Nou as this was the venue where they sealed their historic La Liga crown in 2014. This battle between Barcelona and Atletico carried more weightage as Real Madrid had slipped up in the match before.
Victory for either side with edge them closer to the Galacticos but a nervy encounter ended in a draw after Ivan Rakitic’s first half effort was neutralised by Angel Correa’s goal in the second half. Lionel Messi’s injury will be a sour point for Barcelona as well.
Here are the five talking points from yet another tight encounter between the two rivals.
#1 Simeone’s looming departure had no effect on his troops
Diego Simeone has revitalised and reinvigorated this Atletico Madrid team like very few managers have been able to do in the history of football. He started off when they were in the doldrums and instilled a sense of steel, discipline and resilience. This fighting spirit has seen them break the hegemony of Real Madrid and Barca in La Liga and steered them to two Champions League finals in three years.
After the loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final this summer, there were rumours circulating that the Atletico manager was unhappy with himself. This week it was confirmed that he would indeed be stepping down in 2018 instead of his prior contractual agreement which kept him as manager till 2020.
Going by this display, Atletico fans need not be worried. The team played with the same vigour and passion as they have throughout in the Cholo era. His substitutes earned him the draw as Fernando Torres assisted Correa within minutes of both of them coming on. Clearly, he is living in the present and not worried about his future destination, nor are his players.
#2 Luis Enrique needs to rectify his Plan B
In the first couple of seasons of Luis Enrique’s tenure, Barca’s starting eleven was never in doubt. Post Christmas 2015, the attacking trident known as ‘MSN’ clicked into action and before anyone could realise what had hit them, Luis Enrique’s Barca is now just one trophy behind Guardiola’s dream team.
A lot of money has been spent to ensure that there is a plan B. Enrique has to mix the elements and ensure that not only is the starting eleven in the best shape to do their damage but his backup plan can ease into the team and continue the party.
So far this has been missing from this outrageously talented squad and with expectations always high at Barcelona. The team really has to work on an alternative to the attacking trident of MSN or even the regular game plan and if this is not corrected, it could prove to be a thorn in the flesh of the manager.
#3 Barcelona need to solve the Dani Alves situation at the earliest
It was a problem which could have been avoided with some foresight. Dani Alves has won more trophies at the domestic level than a whole host of distinguished superstars by being the most aggressive right-back of this generation.
Constantly bombing down the flank he has been a key component in both of Barcelona’s trebles in 2009 and 2015. His understanding with Leo Messi was telepathic, a bond which was heightened after Enrique’s repositioning of Messi to the right wing.
The team was going to miss him. Messi would miss him. Yet there was no clear substitute bought. For now, Sergi Roberto has done a brilliant job but putting a midfielder in the right back role cannot be a permanent solution. They need to replace Alves with a man of his instinctive attacking abilities and energy to drive forward.
#4 Ter Stegen stepping up to the challenge as Barca’s no 1
Marc-Andre ter Stegen arrived at Barcelona amidst a lot of hype of being the next Barca shot-stopper after the departure of Victor Valdes. The club then signed Claudio Bravo from Real Sociedad in a prudent move.
Bravo was meant to groom the German before the latter would be eased into his role. It is a strategy which might prove to be a masterstroke since Ter Stegen looks much more comfortable than earlier. His saves from Yannick Carrasco in the first half and Diego Godin’s header in the second might be the start of something special from the current Barca number 1.
#5 Advantage Real Madrid, at this point
Barcelona will be relieved that their record is safe. Real drew to Villarreal in the kickoff prior to this match thereby keeping the streak of winning consecutive matches in La Liga at 16 – tied with Pep Guardiola’s record set in 2010-11. It also landed both Barca and Atleti to close the gap down to Real, should either team have won.
Neither capitalised on the opportunity as for now Los Blancos are ahead of the pack at this moment. Barcelona- Atletico Madrid games generally result in gritty matches and Real will have tougher tests but this season maintains its intrigue with a number of important questions.
Is Zinedine Zidane lucky or have the wins been purely on tactical merit? Will Barcelona come up with the perfect plan B? Will Simeone guide his team to the summit once more? Or will another team rise up and take the crown in what promises to be one of the most intriguing La Liga season in years.
