MADRID – Yannick Carrasco scored after defensive blunders as Atlético Madrid ended a decade-long winless streak in opposition to Barcelona within the Spanish league with a 1-Zero victory on Saturday.
“We’re very joyful to have gained, it had been a very long time and not using a victory in opposition to Barça,” Carrasco stated.
In addition to the match, Barcelona additionally misplaced captain Gerard Piqué to a right-knee sprain early within the second half.
The win gave Atlético a nine-point benefit over Barcelona after eight matches. Diego Simeone’s staff is degree with Actual Sociedad on the high of the standings with 20 factors and has a recreation in hand. Sociedad visits promoted Cádiz on Sunday.
Barcelona dropped to 10th place, staying with 11 factors.
“The distinction (of 9 factors) is fairly huge,” Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman stated. “The league remains to be lengthy and there are a variety of video games left, however this defeat leaves us needing to string collectively a long term of wins”
Carrasco netted the winner after errors by each Piqué and goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen. Piqué misplaced possession close to midfield and Ter Stegen unsuccessfully got here far out of his space to attempt to intercept a move to Carrasco. The Belgium midfielder neatly slipped the ball between Ter Stegen’s legs to set himself up for a shot from lengthy vary into the open web.
“It’s worrying how we conceded the aim,” Koeman stated. “An enormous staff can not concede aim like that … Now we have (to) work extra, particularly in defence, to enhance.”
Atlético hadn’t crushed Barcelona within the league since a 2-1 win in February 2010 on the now-demolished Vicente Calderón Stadium. The groups had performed 20 matches since then, with Barcelona profitable 14 instances.
Barcelona had been the final staff to beat Atlético on the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium within the Spanish capital, profitable 1-Zero final December within the Spanish league. Atlético is now unbeaten in 19 matches on the venue.
Atlético prolonged its unbeaten run within the league to 24 matches. Its final league loss was in opposition to metropolis rival Actual Madrid on the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in February.
The sport was imagined to be Luis Suárez’s first match in opposition to Barcelona since being let go by Koeman and signing with Atlético. However he could not play after testing constructive for COVID-19 whereas with Uruguay’s nationwide staff. Newly signed Atlético midfielder Lucas Torreira additionally could not play after a constructive take a look at outcome with Uruguay.
Barcelona was with out veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets due to a knee harm sustained whereas enjoying with Spain within the Nations League.
Piqué needed to go away the match within the 63rd after Atlético ahead Ángel Correa fell on his proper leg. Piqué’s knee bent inward and he needed to be helped off the sector. He struggled to stroll and seemed in a variety of ache, typically placing his palms to his face.
Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto additionally seemed to be injured when he left close to the top of the match.
Barcelona began controlling possession however Atlético had probably the most harmful possibilities early on. Ter Stegen saved properly in opposition to Saúl Ñíguez’s shot within the fifth minute, and Marcos Llorente hit the crossbar from shut vary within the 12th.
Lionel Messi put in a lacklustre efficiency however had considered one of Barcelona’s greatest possibilities within the 41st after a pleasant move from Jordi Alba. The Argentina playmaker had his angled shot saved by Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Messi additionally missed from a free kick later within the second half.
Barcelona defender Clément Lenglet had his close-range header saved by Oblak early within the second half.
“We knew it was a tough match right here,” Barcelona’s Pedri stated. “We didn’t do properly up entrance and so they scored on the finish of the primary half, that was powerful for us mentally.”
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