Robert Lewandowski’s stellar efficiency propelled Barcelona to a exceptional 3-0 victory towards Atletico Madrid on Sunday, reigniting its fading La Liga title ambitions.
Lewandowski orchestrated targets for Joao Felix and Fermin Lopez, sandwiching a purpose of his personal, which propelled Barcelona into second place, trailing leaders Real Madrid by eight factors.
This victory not solely marked Barcelona’s return to the Champions League quarterfinals after a four-year hiatus but additionally made it the primary staff to defeat Atletico on the Metropolitano stadium this season.
It’s value noting that Barcelona was additionally the final staff to conquer Atletico within the prime flight again in January 2023, breaking Atletico’s spectacular 25-match unbeaten streak in between.
Barcelona crumbled towards Xavi Hernandez’s aspect, which now has 5 consecutive wins over Atletico and is unbeaten in 10 matches because the coach introduced he would go away on the finish of the season.
Barcelona moved two factors away from third-placed Girona, whereas Atletico is now fifth, after Athletic Bilbao moved above them on Saturday.
“I’ll push the (players) more than ever,” Xavi informed DAZN, refusing to throw within the towel on Barcelona’s title protection.
“And now that I’m leaving, even more so – we will try to improve and compete for La Liga and the Champions League, the two most important trophies.”
Atletico performed 120 minutes on Wednesday towards Inter Milan in Europe and though Barcelona noticed off Napoli a day earlier than, it was Simeone’s aspect that began sharper.
Pablo Barrios spurned an excellent early probability and 17-year-old starlet Pau Cubarsi blocked Alvaro Morata’s effort.
However, Barcelona took the lead towards the run of play after 38 minutes.
Ilkay Gundogan glided ahead from midfield and located Lewandowski, who squared for on-loan ahead Felix to show dwelling towards his guardian membership.
The Portuguese striker scored the one purpose when the groups met in December and once more proved a thorn in Atletico’s aspect whereas being whistled by dwelling followers all through.
They have been superior
Xavi was dismissed earlier than the break for dissent however his staff kicked on regardless within the second half.
Simeone despatched on Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay, trying to find extra spark within the closing third.
Lewandowski rapidly doubled Barcelona’s lead with a deadly end, after Rodrigo de Paul gave the ball away in a harmful space.
Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made an excellent save to disclaim Marcos Llorente, however Atletico was beginning to tire after their midweek exploits.
Lopez headed dwelling Barca’s third after Lewandowski set him up with an inch-perfect cross, with the veteran Polish striker providing considered one of his finest performances for the membership.
The purpose capped an excellent week for Lopez, who additionally scored within the win over Napoli.
“We’re believing until the end, (now we’re in) second place, trying to cut the points gap and fight for La Liga,” Lopez informed DAZN.
Atletico’s Nahuel Molina was despatched off for bringing down Vitor Roque late on as Barcelona noticed out their spectacular win, retaining a fourth consecutive clear sheet within the league.
“They were superior, they put away their first chances for goals,” Simeone informed DAZN.
“We’ll keep pushing for fourth place, it will be difficult, tricky, that’s normal … we have to keep improving, a lot.”
Liberation
Earlier Almeria ended a depressing streak by incomes its first La Liga win of the season, edging Las Palmas 1-0.
The Andalusian aspect went 31 league video games with out victory stretching again to May final season, however Leo Baptistao’s 14th-minute purpose snapped their horrible run in coach Pepe Mel’s first match in cost.
Despite successful on the highway, Mel’s aspect continues to be twentieth and 14 factors from security with 9 matches remaining.
Almeria’s 31-match run is the longest winless streak within the division’s historical past, however they’re now stage with Sporting Gijon’s lowest ever factors tally from 1997-98.
“Winning today means a liberation (for the team) … winning three points and changing the dynamic,” mentioned Mel.
Victory ensured Almeria won’t tally fewer factors than Derby County’s 11 within the Premier League in 2007-08, which is the bottom whole throughout Europe’s prime leagues since groups began incomes three factors for a win.
Source: www.dailysabah.com