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 latest weeks and have now gained simply certainly one of their final seven league video games.
Champions Actual Madrid face Sevilla on Sunday and may also transfer forward of Barcelona with a victory.
Barcelona managed the primary half, with their press suffocating Atletico, however struggled to assemble many possibilities.
Raphinha missed with an early header and had one other effort blocked, whereas Jan Oblak fielded a stinging Inigo Martinez effort.
The hosts appealed for a penalty when the ball struck Giovanni Simeone’s arm within the space however it could have been a harsh punishment for the Atletico coach’s son.
Barcelona took the lead after half-hour with Pedri each the architect and scorer of the objective.
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.
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 wonderful move excessive and Raphinha lofted the ball over the goalkeeper nevertheless it struck the woodwork on its method down.
Moments later Atletico have been stage, 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 objective in his final 4 league video games.
Within the closing phases 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 wonderful 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 strike and guarantee Atletico might be high of the pile at Christmas.
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