Atletico Madrid got here from behind to grab a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Barcelona and declare management of La Liga on Saturday.
Pedri despatched the Catalans forward however second-half targets from Rodrigo De Paul and Alexander Sorloth helped Diego Simeone’s aspect transfer three factors clear on the high of the desk, having performed one match fewer than Barca.
Hansi Flick’s aspect dominated on the Olympic stadium however Atletico clung on earlier than claiming a twelfth consecutive victory throughout all competitions with Sorloth’s stoppage-time strike.
Barcelona began the season in very good kind however have stumbled in current weeks and have now received simply considered one of their final seven league video games.
This was their third consecutive residence league defeat, their worst such run since 1987, whereas it was additionally Simeone’s first ever away triumph in opposition to Barcelona in La Liga.
“It is inexplicable… we had the sport in our arms and we did not take benefit,” stated Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi.
Champions Actual Madrid face Sevilla on Sunday and also can transfer forward of Barcelona with a victory.
“It is really a troublesome defeat to take, when you do not end a sport, that is what can occur,” Pedri informed Movistar.
“We’ve got the break now to reset mentally and bodily.”
Barcelona, lacking injured teenage star Lamine Yamal, managed the primary half and suffocated Atletico with their press.
“We’ll combat for all the pieces, we’ll combat for each level to win this (league),” insisted Flick, who stated he was happy with the efficiency regardless of the end result.
“That is how we need to play sooner or later, so we’ll take this and convey it with us to subsequent 12 months.”
Barcelona took the lead after half-hour with Pedri each the architect and scorer of the purpose.
The Spain midfielder burst ahead with the ball and fed Gavi, who tried to show and inadvertently nudged the ball again to the surging Pedri, who entered the field and slotted previous Oblak.
– ‘We resisted’ –
Barcelona ought to have doubled their lead early within the second half, with Fermin Lopez denied by Oblak’s legs earlier than Raphinha hit the crossbar.
Pedri performed within the Brazilian winger with a high quality go excessive and Raphinha lofted the ball over the goalkeeper but it surely struck the woodwork on its approach down.
Moments later Atletico have been degree, with Marc Casado’s misguided backheel clearance falling to De Paul on the sting of the world.
The in-form Argentine midfielder completed with a agency low effort into the underside nook for his third purpose in his final 4 league video games.
Within the last levels each groups tried to grab a winner, with La Liga’s high goalscorer Robert Lewandowski lacking from point-blank vary, though Ferran Torres appeared offside within the build-up.
On the different finish Inaki Pena made a high quality save to maintain Pablo Barrios at bay, whereas Oblak saved from Raphinha after one other very good Pedri ball.
The excellent Canarian midfielder had an opportunity to attain himself however Oblak once more proved too onerous to beat, and his efforts didn’t go unrewarded.
Deep in stoppage time Nahuel Molina crossed for normal super-sub Sorloth to blast residence and guarantee Atletico might be high of the pile at Christmas.
“We might by no means received at Barcelona since I arrived, finally we have performed it,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak informed Movistar.
“We suffered so much, we began badly… however we’re in superb kind, we resisted, and after going a purpose down we knew find out how to bear it out with out letting within the second.”
This season Atletico have scored within the ninetieth minute or past in 13 video games throughout all competitions, with their substitutes and squad depth key.
Sorloth has began simply seven video games within the league for Atletico however is the group’s high goalscorer with eight strikes.
“I spoke to (Sorloth) three or 4 weeks in the past, explaining the concept I had… his 20, 30 or 40 minutes are extraordinary,” stated Simeone.
Earlier Athletic Bilbao beat Osasuna 2-1 to tighten their grip on fourth place.
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