Barcelona headed to the Metropolitano understanding that Actual Madrid had already slipped up earlier within the day, shedding 2-1 at Mallorca. The chance to open up a commanding lead in La Liga was proper there, and Barca took it however not with out drama.
Giuliano Simeone put Atletico forward within the thirty ninth minute earlier than Marcus Rashford levelled nearly instantly.
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The sport then turned on a first-half stoppage time pink card for Nicolas Gonzalez, who was dismissed for scything down Lamine Yamal.
Gerard Martin was then proven pink within the opening seconds of the second half, just for VAR to overturn it to a yellow – a call that infuriated the house facet.
With Atletico holding agency and the clock winding down, Robert Lewandowski pounced on a rebound off Juan Musso within the 87th minute to win it. Seven factors clear with eight video games to play, Barcelona are firmly within the driving seat.
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What Flick mentioned after win vs Atletico Madrid
Hansi Flick was in good spirits on the pitch and carried that into the press convention, although he was measured in how he addressed the title image.
“It was a vital victory. They defended very nicely with 10, however we performed very nicely with the ball. We managed the sport, and I appreciated it. We tried all the pieces to attain the second aim. A very powerful factor is the victory and the three factors.”
“It’s not simple to play right here; the environment may be very sturdy,” he mentioned.
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One of many defining moments of the night time was the Gerard Martin incident – proven pink by referee Busquets Ferrer earlier than VAR intervened and lowered it to a yellow.
“I haven’t seen him on TV, solely reside, however for me, what I’ve seen is that he cleared the ball. The very first thing I believed was that there was no foul, however I feel it does later. It’s a call. I don’t assume it was for a pink card,” he mentioned.
Gerard Martin’s pink card was probably the most controversial moments of the sport. (Picture by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Pictures)
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With the hole now at seven factors, the strain has shifted firmly towards Madrid however Flick was not enthusiastic about wanting sideways.
“We by no means take a look at different groups. I’m enthusiastic about my group. You need to do your job and now we have performed it. We may have performed issues higher. We want this starvation to wish to win video games.”
“Each sport is totally different and never simple to play. That is what I wish to see in my group. After the break, the primary sport isn’t simple. It wasn’t for us, or for Atletico, or for Madrid, however it’s our job,” he mentioned,
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“Everybody knew that these three factors had been essential. However we additionally know that it’s not performed and that on Wednesday now we have a vital sport. We’re going to play Atletico, who’re an ideal group. We’re glad, however now we have not celebrated a lot,” he added.
The late winner got here from Robert Lewandowski, whose contract scenario stays unresolved heading into the summer season. Flick made clear it isn’t a dialog for now.
“For me it’s too distant to speak about Lewandowski’s renewal. I’m pleased with Robert and my gamers. There are eight league video games left to play. We now have to be centered. It’s our job; then we’ll see what occurs.”
Lamine Yamal was one in every of Barca’s finest on the night time, however left the pitch visibly annoyed and didn’t acknowledge Flick as he walked off.
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“I don’t know, I used to be a bit of indignant. It’s regular, he gave all the pieces and couldn’t rating. In fact, it’s emotional. Now he’s within the dressing room, and he’s higher. It has nothing to do with the sport; he has given all the pieces,” he mentioned.
The one cloud over the end result was the health of two gamers who went off in the course of the match. Each Bernal and Araujo picked up knocks, with the latter having come straight from worldwide obligation with Uruguay.
“We now have to see, look forward to tomorrow. After which we’ll know the end result and see what we do. I hope it doesn’t go any additional. Ronald got here from the nationwide group, from two video games; I hope it’s nothing severe,” he concluded.
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