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Atletico Madrid announced themselves as genuine title contenders earlier today with a crucial victory against Barcelona that sees Diego Simeone's team move to within touching distance of the top of the La Liga table. Barcelona struggled to break through Atletico Madrid's rigid lines and their underwhelming performance handed Simeone his first La Liga victory against the Catalans.
Atletico Madrid have now extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to 24 matches and will see this season as an excellent opportunity to win the title. Barcelona now have only 11 points from eight games and have largely failed to turn their fortunes around under Ronald Koeman.
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Atletico Madrid stun Barcelona to extend unbeaten run
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid exchanged intriguing bouts of possession in the opening stages of the game as Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez attempted to open the scoring at either end of the pitch. Atletico Madrid were marginally the better team in the first half-hour and nearly opened the scoring after Marcos Llorente struck the upright after an excellent run into Barcelona's penalty area.
Barcelona did grow into the game on a few occasions with Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi pulling the strings in the midfield. The Barcelona captain had an excellent chance to open the scoring for the Catalans but failed to beat Jan Oblak from a tight angle.
The first half was set to end in a 0-0 stalemate before an inexplicable decision from Marc-Andre ter Stegen presented Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco with an open goal. The Belgian frontman curved his strike into the net to stun Barcelona at the stroke of half-time.
Atletico Madrid started the second half in excellent fashion and held the ball against a Barcelona side that was struggling to create chances. Clement Lenglet nearly scored for the Catalans after getting his head to an excellent Lionel Messi cross but directed his header straight to Jan Oblak.
Barcelona were poor with their forward passing and were far too predictable in the final third. Atletico Madrid were easily able to thwart the Catalan midfield and Simeone's exceptional tactical acumen came to the fore as Barcelona slumped to yet another expensive defeat.
Atletico Madrid Player Ratings
Jan Oblak - 7.5/10
Jan Oblak is likely to end his career as an Atletico Madrid legend. The Slovenian goalkeeper was a rock between the sticks for the home side and his excellent positioning skills denied Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann throughout the game.
Jose Gimenez - 7/10
Jose Gimenez was given the unenviable task of keeping Lionel Messi quiet and was largely able to meet his manager's expectations. The Uruguayan centre-back organised his back-line and put in a mature performance against Barcelona.
Stefan Savic - 7.5/10
Stefan Savic was largely understated with his performance tonight but was one of the major driving forces behind Atletico Madrid's clean sheet against Barcelona. The defender did not put a foot wrong and was composed against a strong Catalan unit.
Mario Hermoso - 7/10
Mario Hermoso had a difficult start to the game against Ousmane Dembele but recovered brilliantly as the first half progressed. The left-back used his strength to excellent effect and made several crucial blocks against Barcelona.
Kieran Trippier - 7/10
Kieran Trippier was Atletico Madrid's attacking outlet on the right flank and exploited Jordi Alba's movement with consummate ease. The English defender nearly bagged an assist on a few occasions and had one of his best games in an Atletico Madrid shirt.
Saul Niguez - 7.5/10
Saul Niguez is growing into one of Diego Simeone's most trusted commanders and was a leader on the pitch against Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder nearly scored from a long-range effort in the first half and had a good game.
Koke - 7/10
Koke was a highly effective presence in Atletico Madrid's midfield and gave Barcelona a difficult time with his work-rate. The midfielder has built an excellent understanding with Saul Niguez and the duo combined to choke the Catalans' passing lines.
Yannick Carrasco - 7.5/10
Yannick Carrasco thoroughly enjoyed his return to the Atletico Madrid starting eleven and was a constant threat on the left flank. The Atletico Madrid forward scored the only goal of the game with an excellent piece of skill and proved his mettle against Barcelona.
Marcos Llorente - 7/10
Marcos Llorente had a positive outing on the right flank and consistently pushed up the pitch to exploit the space vacated by Barcelona's Jordi Alba. The Spaniard did create his fair share of chances and nearly scored in the first half with a shot and grazed the crossbar.
Angel Correa - 6.5/10
Angel Correa had a relatively quiet night compared to his teammates but his work-rate often won possession for Atletico Madrid. The Argentine forward did create a few chances for his fellow strikers and will be happy with his performance.
Joao Felix - 8/10
Joao Felix may not have found the back of the net tonight but was the beating heart of Atletico Madrid's forward line. The Portuguese superstar was exceptional with his transitions and gave a Sergi Roberto and Gerard Pique a torrid time throughout the game.
Substitutes
Diego Costa - 6.5/10
Diego Costa was brought on to hold the ball up in the final third and the experienced striker played his role to perfection. Costa was a nuisance in the second half and also created a few openings towards the end of the game.
Thomas Lemar - 6/10
Thomas Lemar replaced the prodigious Joao Felix in the final minutes of the game and played a role in Atletico Madrid's defensive set-up.
Geoffrey Kondogbia - 6.5/10
Geoffrey Kondogbia was a part of Atletico Madrid's defensive reorganisation in the second half and won the ball back for his side on a few occasions.
Felipe - 6/10
Felipe was introduced in stoppage-time and did not spend enough time on the pitch to make a discernible impact.
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Barcelona Player Ratings
Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 4/10
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is often a very reliable player for Barcelona but cost his side a massive three points against Atletico Madrid tonight. The German shot-stopper inexplicably rushed to the middle of the pitch to confront Yannick Carrasco and was nutmegged as the Belgian took his goal with aplomb.
Gerard Pique - 5.5/10
Gerard Pique did make a few important interceptions in the first half but lost the ball in the build-up to Atletico Madrid's opening goal. The Barcelona veteran limped off with a knee injury in the second half and his fitness will be a massive concern for Ronald Koeman over the next few weeks.
Clement Lenglet - 6/10
Clement Lenglet stood his ground against Angel Correa on a few occasions but was not particularly convincing in Barcelona's defensive line. The Frenchman had arguably the best chance of the game but was wasteful with his header.
Jordi Alba - 6.5/10
Jordi Alba was one of Barcelona's better performers on the night but found it difficult to complete his trademark runs against Kieran Tripper. The Spanish left-back did create an excellent chance for Lionel Messi with a cheeky nutmeg but was not at his best against Atletico Madrid.
Sergi Roberto - 6/10
Sergi Roberto had yet another quiet game for Barcelona and was ineffective with his forward runs. The versatile Catalan slotted into the midfield in the second half and gave Jan Oblak a moment's worry with a deflected shot towards the end of the game.
Frenkie de Jong - 6.5/10
Frenkie de Jong seemed well below his best against Atletico Madrid and was unable to push through a crowded midfield. The Barcelona star filled in at centre-back in the second half after Gerard Pique's injury.
Miralem Pjanic - 6/10
Miralem Pjanic was tidy with his passing and served as a foil for the rest of Barcelona's midfield. The former Juventus man was not particularly effective in the final third, however, and was replaced towards the end of the game.
Pedri - 5/10
Pedri put in a fairly subdued performance tonight for Barcelona and was often crowded out by more than two Atletico Madrid players. The teenager found it difficult to break the opposition's lines and has plenty to work on ahead of a hectic schedule.
Ousmane Dembele - 6.5/10
Ousmane Dembele was one of the only Barcelona players on the pitch who was able to threaten Atletico Madrid's defence. The French winger started the game brightly but his impact on the match faded towards the end of the second half.
Lionel Messi - 6/10
Lionel Messi's form has been a source of concern for Barcelona this season. The talismanic Argentine did not have much of an influence on the proceedings in the first half and while he did create a few chances after half-time, his performance failed to meet expectations as Barcelona whimpered to yet another defeat.
Antoine Griezmann - 5/10
Antoine Griezmann had yet another quiet game and was ineffective against his former side. The Barcelona striker did have a couple of shots on target on the night but failed to get the better of Jan Oblak.
Substitutes
Philippe Coutinho - 6/10
Philippe Coutinho made his comeback from injury against Atletico Madrid and was brought on to provide Barcelona with a much-needed creative spark. The Brazilian midfielder did not see much of the ball, however, and was unable to break through a robust Atletico Madrid outfit.
Sergino Dest - 6.5/10
Sergino Dest continues to make a strong case for his inclusion in the starting eleven and produced yet another energetic performance off the bench. The American teenager has been impressive for Barcelona so far and should be given more time with the first team.
Martin Braithwaite - 6/10
Martin Braithwaite replaced Antoine Griezmann in the second half and was proactive with his pressing in the final third. The Danish striker did not see much of the ball and was unable to make much of an impact.
Francisco Trincao - 5.5/10
Francisco Trincao is yet to impress during his time at Barcelona and lost the ball on a few occasions during his short stay on the pitch. The Portuguese winger has plenty of work to do in order to stake his claim to a spot in Barcelona's starting eleven.
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