Atletico Madrid enhanced their chances of winning the La Liga title this season with a 1-0 victory over Barcelona at home on Saturday evening.
Yannick Carrasco’s goal in first-half injury time at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium proved to be the difference between the two sides in Madrid.
It was a brilliant goal from the 27-year-old winger, as the Belgium international drove in from midway inside the Barcelona half and got the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The result means that Atletico are now second in the La Liga table with 20 points from eight matches.
Diego Simeone’s side are fast becoming the favourites for the title and could end up clinching the championship this season.
The defeat was another blow for Barcelona, who are having a tough time in the league at the moment.
Ronald Koeman’s side are currently as low as 11th in the La Liga table with just 11 points from eight matches.
Below are three things we learned from the match on Saturday evening:
Lionel Messi cannot carry Barcelona on his own
Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all time and is a legend, but the Argentine wizard simply cannot carry Barcelona on his own anymore. The 33-year-old forward was deployed as the central attacking midfielder in place of Philippe Coutinho, with Antoine Griezmann playing upfront on his own. Although Messi tried his best, his teammates were not on the same wavelength. Barcelona have become an average side now, and that is not Messi’s fault.
Atletico Madrid can win La Liga
Simeone’s football is far from great or impressive, and many neutral fans will find it hard to get behind the Madrid club’s football. It is quite defensive and not easy on the eye. However, Atletico have been hugely successful under the Argentine, who has made the Madrid outfit a force to be reckoned with since he was appointed the manager in 2011. Atletico have won La Liga once and the Europa League twice and have reached the final of the Champions League on two occasions. Los Rojiblancos, who are rated at 3/4 by Betfair to win their next league match against Valencia, can definitely clinch the league title again this season.
Joao Felix could become world’s best
Joao Felix is one of the best young attacking players, and this season he is coming into his own. The Portugal international forward did not have the best of times in his debut season at Atletico in 2019-20 due to Simeone’s style, but he is doing well at the moment. Against Barcelona, Felix was very creative, looks lively and was a problem for the defence. Barca could have done with the 21-year-old in their squad. According to WhoScored, Felix took one shot which was not on target, had a pass accuracy of 91.3%, won one header, took 57 touches, attempted one dribble, and made two tackles.
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