DBasia.news – Barcelona failed to reach the Spanish Super Cup final in the match against Atletico, Friday (10/1) AM with a final score of 3-2. After the game, several interesting facts emerged that filled the steaming match between Barcelona and Atletico.
The game went excitingly. Barcelona, as usual, dominated possessions and Atletico closed in the defense and aimed for a counter-attack. Barca dominated 73 percent possession of the ball compared to 27 percent of Atletico.
However, Atletico played efficiently with a six-shot attempt and all were on target. Three of the goals were scored by Koke (46 ‘), Alvaro Morata (81’ penalty), and Angel Correa (86 ‘).
While from 16 Barcelona kick attempts, nine were on target, only two of which resulted in goals when Lionel Messi (51 ‘) and former Atletico Madrid striker, Antoine Griezmann, scored (62’).
Besides being filled by the drama of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) who annulled goals from Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique, the match was also highlighted after Lionel Messi’s altercation with Atletico Madrid starlet, Joao Felix, at the end of the first half.
The commotion occurred after Jordi Alba poked Felix’s cheek after the two were involved in a duel for the ball. Felix fended him off and Messi approached him as he didn’t like his attitude. Afterwards the players of the two teams got in a brawl on the pitch, which ended with yellow cards Suarez and Stefan Savic.
Atletico emerged victorious by eliminating the defending champions of the LaLiga. Diego Simeone, Atletico’s coach, is happy that his play plan was going well against Ernesto Valverde’s team.
“The plan is always to play (offensively), but the opponent is great. We seek protection with good defense, but we cannot counterattack or escape from their pressure,” said Simeone in Marca.
“After the break of the first half, we started with goals that gave us strength but they responded with an alarming attacking rhythm (Atletico’s defense).”
“The goals came, but the replacement of (Marcos) Lllorente and (Angel) Correa playing as a striker gave a breath of fresh air. We are a different team, you can see that if we can equalize, we will win,” explained Simeone.
Here are some interesting facts from the Barcelona match against Atletico Madrid in King Abdullah Sports City, Saudi Arabia:
– Barcelona suffered a fourth defeat in all competitions this season. Atletico became the fourth team after Athletic Club Bilbao, Granada and Levante.
– This season Barcelona have conceded 30 goals in 26 matches. It is a high amount for a team of Blaugrana’s caliber.
– Atletico’s last three wins against Barcelona eliminated the Blaugrana (two in the Champions League and in the Spanish Super Cup).
– Ansu Fati became the youngest player to make his debut in the Spanish Super Cup at the age of 17 years and 70 days. Surpassing Nano at the age of 17 years 117 days in 1999.
– Barcelona striker, Antoine Griezmann, has scored in all 36 LaLiga teams he has faced.
– Thomas Partey, Atletico midfielder, player with the highest number of passes in the first half for Atletico (19 passes). Only Suarez (11 operands) and Neto (10 operands) are lower than him for Barcelona.
– Angel Correa, Atletico striker, scored in three consecutive matches for the first time in Atletico’s career. Before Barca Correa broke down Real Betis and Levante’s goal.