Barça seek redemption against Atlético after European setbacks

It was the moment to send a message for Barça.

Having been beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue des champions and defeated by Real Madrid in the Clasico, the Catalan side needed to answer in the twelfth round of La Liga at the Atlético de Madrid ground.

Opposing them were Les Colchoneros, riding a run of seven straight league victories.

Early chances and opening goal

Diego Simeone’s men started the match at a frantic pace, creating a huge chance for Julian Alvarez in the fifth minute and seeing Marc Pubill’s header hit the crossbar in the sixth.

Giuliano Simeone then opened the scoring in the tenth minute, putting Atlético ahead 1‑0.

Barça held firm even as a two‑goal lead seemed imminent at the 21st and 26th minutes.

Fermin López, who had already found the net in the seventh minute, equalised before the break, making it 1‑1 at the interval.

Barcelona kept control while Atlético remained threatening at times, notably through Julian Alvarez in the 55th minute.

The Catalans then took the lead, with another strike from Fermin López following a fine opening move by Lamine Yamal in the 66th minute.

Hansi Flick’s men managed the advantage without wavering, a lesson after the poor handling of their first two fixtures of the season.

The win cemented Barça’s position at the top, three points clear of Real Madrid and five ahead of Atlético, who could have seized the throne with a victory.

The Blaugranas were not prepared to accept any other outcome.