How did Barcelona lose that?!
After a rough couple of weeks in La Liga, Barcelona rose to the occasion against Atletico and secured an important win. Except they didn’t. They should have. They played a great game, but they didn’t take their chances and were made to pay by an Atletico side who created very little but scored twice.
Hansi Flick’s were good value for the three points and will be kicking themselves for not taking what would have been a huge win. The team looked hungry and full of intensity - two things that have been missing in recent games - but simply were not ruthless enough.
Pedri bagged the opener in the first half and Barca had plenty more chances to score. Indeed we’re all still wondering now how Robert Lewandowski managed to miss after being serve up a chance on a plate by Ferran Torres. “Inexplicable” was how Pau Cubarsi described the loss afterwards.
| Atlético shock Barça at the death!
• xG: 2.53 – 0.63
• Shots (on target): 19 (7) – 5 (4)
• Big chances: 7 – 2
• Touches in pen. area: 41 – 6
• Possession: 63% – 37%
Make that 1⃣2⃣ consecutive wins for Atleti who were clinical when it mattered! #BarcaAtleti pic.twitter.com/byQm9oDGcI
— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) December 21, 2024
Yet Lewandowski wasn’t the only one. Raphinha, Pedri and Fermin Lopez also could - and probably should - have scored but couldn’t beat Jan Oblak. It’s becoming something of a recurring theme too, Barca need far more composure in front of goal.
In contrast Atletico created absolutely zilch. But a poor intervention by Marc Casado fell to Rodrigo De Paul and he somehow conjured up a brilliant finish that curled low into the bottom corner. It was a harsh lesson for Barca.
And there was more misery to come deep, deep into stoppage time. Barca were undone again as substitute Alexander Sorloth hit the unlikeliest of unlikely winners to send Atletico top and make it a miserable Christmas for the Catalans.
Title race takes massive turn
The win means that Atletico now sit top of the table, three points clear of Barcelona with a game in hand. The Catalans could even head into Christmas in third place in the table if Real Madrid beat Sevilla later. Los Blancos also, ominously for Barca, have two games in hand on Hansi Flick’s side.
The six-point lead Barcelona enjoyed at the top of the table now feels like a long time ago, as wasteful performances by Flick’s side have thrown away the lead and allowed their rivals to take the initiative.
The German boss was defiant after the game, insisting he’s “not worried” and backing his team to come back in 2025. Yet recent results show Flick has plenty of work to do with his team if they are to get back on track in January and challenge for titles.
This defeat in particular will be hard to swallow for many fans, particularly after seeing Barcelona dominate. Meanwhile, one win from the last seven La Liga games is a really dismal way to finish off the year.
Sharpen up, Barcelona
One of the biggest concerns for Flick will be just how many chances are going begging this season. The Catalans are La Liga’s leading scorers with 51 goals from 19 matches but have also missed 50 big chances in those games.
Lewandowski will know he should have been on the scoresheet, and Raphinha too. The Brazilian oozed confidence all night, showing off a chested pass and nutmegging Conor Gallagher. Yet Pedri’s gorgeous pass through to the Brazilian deserved better than a lob onto the crossbar.
Quite how Pedri ended up on the losing side is a mystery. The Spain star was the best player on the park, scoring the goal, creating three big chances and seemingly playing at a level no-one else could reach.
| PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Pedri v Atlético Madrid:
95 touches
⚽️ 1 goal
3 shots/2 on target (0.37 xG)
3 big chances created ( )
4 key passes (= )
8/8 accurate long balls ( )
63/71 accurate passes (0.36 xA)
3/5 successful dribbles (= )
8.8 Sofascore… pic.twitter.com/3HjqwWSP83
— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) December 21, 2024
“It is good to see him now at this level, seeing him play was fantastic and the goal was unbelievable,” Flick told reporters afterwards. “When you see him on the pitch, he is now making his team-mates better. I think that’s the next step of his career.”
Seeing Pedri in top form again is a joy and hopefully Barcelona can get Gavi and Ronald Araujo back to their best again in 2025 as well. Let’s not forget, there’s still a long way to go in the season and the winter break at least allows Barca the chance to recharge batteries and regroup.