5 lessons learned from Barcelona’s disheartening draw to Atletico

The Catalans cede further ground in the title race after dropping two more points!

It was even stevens at the Camp Nou between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who fought hard in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Lionel Messi got his 700th goal at last, but the Rojiblancos twice fought back from the spot through Saul to force a share of the spoils.

This means Real Madrid can now move four points clear of the Catalans at the top with a win against Getafe on Thursday, with only five games remaining.

There’s so much to talk about last night, so let’s jump right into it:

Manic opening 20 minutes

This was arguably the last proverbial ‘big match’ of the 2019/20 season, and it sure as hell lived up to its billing. Packed with several close calls and high octane action, the mayhem in the first quarter of the game well and truly set the tone for the rest of the night.

Firstly, Diego Costa inadvertently turned Lionel Messi’s corner into his own net. Then, the visitors won a penalty soon after which Costa missed. Furthermore, the spot kick was asked to be retaken (after Ter Stegan advanced off his line too soon) and finally, Saul stepped up to coolly dispatch the second effort. All of this inside the opening 20 minutes. Blimey!

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Questionable penalty calls

There was more drama awaiting in the second stanza, particularly involving both the penalty decisions. Soon after the break, the Catalans won a spot kick of their own for an apparent foul on Nelson Semedo by Felipe, but replays suggest there was minimal contact.

Another 12 minutes later, the Rojiblancos were awarded a second penalty. Yannick Carrasco, who had also won the first one, was once more brought down inside the area, but again, the contact between him and Semedo was too little. Certain camera angles albeit, showed the latter might have just clipped his heels. Only just.

Messi’s 700th finally arrives

The Barcelona skipper finally got his landmark strike, and in some style. He stepped up to take the penalty in the second half and scooped an audacious panenka into the net, sending Jan Oblak the wrong way.

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Given the end-to-end nature of the match as well as the implications of this goal in the title race overall, the pressure must’ve been enormous, but Messi being Messi, maintained his calm and composure to coolly slot home and reach the 700-goal milestone at last. Its a shame that it didn’t eventually translate into a victory though.

Puig, the next-gen Andres Iniesta?

He still has a long way to go before emulating the Barca legend, but Riqui Puig has all the qualities that are redolent of Don Andres. In what was only his second league start, he was one of the best players on the pitch yet again. The 20-year old worked tirelessly on and off the ball, laid plenty of good passes, made crunch tackles, and also showed exceptional vision.

His stupendous ball control can also be evidenced from the fact that he completed all six of his dribbles on the night, whilst also maintaining an admirable 92% passing success! Puig may still be in the early days of his career, but he’s already proving to be the real deal. Truly sensational!

Barca’s title hopes in tatters?

Besides a few bright spots – actually only Messi, Fati, and Puig – this Barcelona team is unorganized at best and uninspired at worst. The cracks were there for all to see last season, but the Catalans somehow contrived to ignore them. Now, they’re paying a hefty price. Another stalemate – their third in the last four games – means Real Madrid can now widen the gap to four points at the top with a win on Thursday night, and don’t forget, they also hold the head-to-head advantage. With Copa Del Rey long gone, the La Liga is slipping away too. Inquest time at Barca?

Barcelona travel to Villarreal in the next match, whereas Atletico Madrid host relegation-battling Mallorca.