Barcelona failed to register a win against title rivals, Atletico Madrid, as substitute Angel Correa netted a crucial goal for the Diego Simeone's side in the 61st minute of the match cancelling out Ivan Rakitic's first half goal.
The current champions were dealt with a major blow in the game after star player Lionel Messi was forced to leave the pitch owing to an injury after clashing with Atletico's Diego Godin.
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The Catalan giants dominated the proceedings from the beginning of the game as they created quite a few chances in the first half. Thanks to some stout defending from the Diego Godin-led defence, the home side failed to yield any positive outcome. The tie was finally broken in the 41st minute when Rakitic headed in a pin point curling cross from Andres Iniesta.
The Barcelona defenders were caught out of place as Correa found the back of the net from a cheeky assist from another substitute Fernando Torres. Messi's absence clearly hurt his side for the rest of the game as they failed o score in one more goal during rest of the match to snatch full three points.
Here is how the players stood out.
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 7/10
The German custodian pulled off quite a few decent saves to keep his team at bay including a great save of Diego Godin's late strike late in the game but could do nothing against Angel Correa as his side conceded a crucial goal. Overall, Ter Stegen did a fairly decent job under the bar.
Sergi Roberto - 7/10
The Spaniard has become a regular starter for Luis Enrique's side this season in the right-back position. Roberto played quite on the right side of the backline as he continuously went up the flank and supported his team mates while attacking. His defending too was commendable against a strong Atletico side.
Gerard Pique - 8/10
Gerard Pique led the Barcelona defence from the front a did a great job to keep the opponent attackers at bay. He remained stout in the backline and dominated in the air against the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco etc.
Javier Mascherano - 6/10
The Argentine veteran was at mistake which allowed his compatriot Angel Correa to score the all important equaliser in the second half. Mascherano slipped inside the penalty box at the vital moment which allowed the Atletico striker to get the ball and he found the back of the net with ease.
Jordi Alba - 7/10
Jordi Alba was energetic down the left flank as he contributed to the team's attacks quite a few times. He also performed his defensive duties impressively against a strong Atletico Madrid attacking unit. Overall the Spaniard had a good game last night.
Sergio Busquets - 6/10
It was a rare off day for the Spanish midfielder who failed to cope with the pace of the game which allowed the Atletico Madrid players to launch a series of counter-attacks with ease. Sergio Busquets was also forced to leave the ground early in the second half owing to an injury.
Ivan Rakitic - 9/10
Arguably the best player for Barcelona on the pitch last night, Ivan Rakitic did the important job of scoring the goal at the stroke of half time. The Croatian midfielder controlled the game and displayed some exquisite range of passing. In the 41st minute, Rakitic found himself at the right place and headed in a pin point cross from Andres Iniesta to give his team the much-needed lead.
Andres Iniesta - 8/10
Luis Enrique trusted his old war horse in this crucial clash against title rivals Atletico Madrid ahead Arda Turan and other youngsters. The veteran midfield maestro did not disappoint his manager as he controlled the game brilliantly at the middle of the pitch. He was also the architect for Barcelona's first goal as he sent in brilliant curling cross to Ivan Rakitic.
Neymar - 6/10
Another Barcelona star who had rare off day was Neymar. The Brazilian remained busy in the attack but failed to yield any positive outcome for his side. His finishing was also way below standards as he struggled on the left flank. His only positive contribution to the game was the late cross towards Gerard Pique which had almost got them the winning goal.
Luis Suarez - 6.5/10
Luis Suarez made quite a few runs inside the penalty box and kept the Atletico Madrid defenders busy but failed to score the goals. The Uruguayan striker was also booked in the latter stages of the match for a poor tackle.
Lionel Messi - 6.5/10
Lionel Messi was forced to leave the pitch early in second half owing to an injury. It definitely hurt Barcelona's cause as they failed to find a winner thereafter. Messi had a decent outing against Diego Simeone's side but he failed to make any positive impact on the match.
Substitutes
Arda Turan - 7/10
The former Atletico Madrid midfielder replaced Lionel Messi after the latter aggravated a groin injury which forced him out of the game. Turan had a great influence on the match in the last 30 minutes and kept the defenders busy.
Andre Gomes - 6.5/10
The newly signed midfielder joined the proceedings in the 51st minute replacing an injured Sergio Busquets. He successfully controlled the game in the midfield but did not have much of an influence on the attack for Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid
Jan Oblak - 7/10
Joan Oblak, as usual, was cautious under the bar and made quite a few saves to deny Barcelona from scoring more goals. The only time he was beaten was by Ivan Rakitic in the first half when he headed in the first goal for Barcelona.
Diego Godin - 8.5/10
The Uruguayan veteran led the Atletico Madrid backline and made some crucial challenges to protect his team's goal. He remained steady and stout in the defence against a strong Barcelona attacking outfit and kept them silent for most of the time. Godin could have netted in his team's winning goal in the dying moments of the match.
Stefan Savic - 8/10
Stefan Savic had a very good outing Barcelona last night as fought shoulder to shoulder alongside Diego Godin and kept Lionel Messi silent for most of the match. Although he would be unhappy to see his team concede at the ending moments of the first half as they failed to keep a check on Ivan Rakitic.
Juanfran - 7/10
Juanfran did a decent job in keeping Neymar at bay on their right side. He performed his defensive duties perfectly but could have done a better job with his overlapping runs down the flank.
Felipe Luis - 6/10
The Brazilian left-back went forward several times and generated many crosses but most of them were not fruitful to yield a positive outcome. Felipe Luis performed his defensive duties perfectly but was booked in the ending moments for committing a bad foul on Arda Turan.
Koke - 8.5/10
The Spanish midfielder had a great impact on the game as he controlled the proceedings from the middle of the pitch. His pass in the dying moments of the match towards Diego Godin almost won the game for the away side.
Gabi - 8/10
The captain had a great outing against Barcelona last night as he controlled the midfield playing deep. Gabi provided quite a few crisp passes and also performed his defensive duties well at the heart of the midfield keeping the opponent at bay.
Saul Niguez - 5/10
Saul did not have much impact on the game as he failed to produce any noticeable moments. He operated from the right side of the pitch and was substituted in the second half for a poor show.
Yannick Carrasco - 7/10
The 23-year-old Belgian started the game on a positive note as went past the Barcelona defenders with his crafty footwork. He created quite a few chances cutting in from the left flank.
Kevin Gameiro - 6/10
It is safe to say the Kevin Gameiro had an off day last night. The French international troubled the Barcelona defence a few times but remained silent in front of the goal for most of the times. He was substituted early in the second half.
Antoine Griezmann - 8/10
Antoine Griezmann led the Atletico Madrid attack from the front as he created several chances. He also attempted a few shots at the goal which were saved by Ter Stegen with ease. The Frenchman played like a perfect team player as he was often seen coming deep in the midfield to help his side.
Substitutes
Fernando Torres - 8/10
The veteran Spanish forward came in as a substitute replacing Saul. Diego Simeone clearly wanted to go for the kill as he brought in the forward in place of a midfielder. Torres did help his side out by providing the all-important final pass to Correa which yielded Atletico the goal.
Angel Correa - 9/10
Angel Correa grabbed the limelight of the match after coming on as a substitute in the second half in place of Kevin Gameiro. He was a constant threat to the Barcelona backline with his runs down the middle and was definitely the hero for Simeone's side last night.
Thomas Partey - 7/10
Diego Simeone introduced the 23-year-old Ghanaian midfielder to provide solidarity to the Atletico backline. Partey performed his duties perfectly and made sure that Atletico earned a point from the match.
