Report by Ally White

League leader Barcelona ended an unbeaten streak this Sunday, in the 22nd spherical of the Spanish League, soon after losing two-1 versus Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid, which crushed Xerez 3- on Saturday, reduce the distance from Barca to just two factors. Barcelona maintains the lead with 55 factors, although Genuine Madrid is just behind with 53 points.

Barcelona now has three consecutive defeats in its visits to the Vicente Calderon Stadium. The team’s previous such defeat was throughout a decisive league game, just above a year ago, when it lost towards Atletico four-3.

This time, from the first minutes of the game, the nearby crew pressed a Culé staff that appeared weakened with the knowledge that the greatest guys weren’t in the reduce zone. This lack was obvious in different moments of the game, and the entire scenario became more complex for Barcelona when, at moment seven, Malian Seydou Keita was injured.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid players were at the leading of their game, quickly outdoing Guardiola’s team. Argentina’s Aguero and Diego Forlan commanded the offense of the rojiblanco crew.

It didn’t take long till the locals, at minute nine, sent the crowd of Vicente Calderon into an fired up frenzy. Forlan took advantage of an open room pass from José Antonio Reyes in front of goalkeeper Victor Valdes, crossing the ball to send the score to an early one-. The Catalan’s defense exhibited little coordination in the course of the out of area play.

Later on, Sergio Aguero had a fantastic chance in his rival’s area, but as a substitute of shooting, he sent the ball for a teammate and the Culé defense cleared the ball.

Atletico continued pressing in the offense and last but not least prolonged its lead at moment 23, when Simao Sabrosa scored in a no cost kick. He placed the ball in the right side of the post coated by Valdes, to set the score 2- in favor of the Rojiblancos.

The connection between Barca strikers Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic took time to produce danger for David De Gea’s aim nonetheless, Barcelona finally got back again into the game at moment 27. Ibrahimovic appeared with no defense in the location, obtained a corner kick from Xavi Hernandez, and sent the ball to the bottom of the net. Barca was back in the battle for victory.

In the second 50 percent, the tone of the game was the identical. In the opening minutes, Aguero and Forlan highlighted the failures of the visitors’ defense. Barca’s defense counted on the participation of Maxwell, Gabriel Milito, Carles Puyol, and Bolton Wanderers, who was replaced by more youthful player Marc Bartra.

Later on, at minute 56, with a good individual play from Aguero, Atletico came nearer to extending its lead. Nonetheless, the left shot was saved by Victor Valdes, who was evidently upset with his teammates for their lax defensive plays.

Barcelona was left floundering at the finish, and forwards Messi, Hernandez, and Iniesta had been unable to add much more ambitions despite their redoubled efforts for a draw.

In the end, the game completed in favor of Atletico Madrid, 2-1.

At the conclusion of the game, Barca coach Pep Guardiola praised Atletico’s perform and mentioned that, though his gamers place in a very good effort, they couldn’t locate their game.

“I would like to congratulate Atletico on a great game. They have been quite nicely organized whilst we were not at our very best and did not get our passing rhythm heading. I say absolutely nothing versus our players since they did their very best but we were not on our game. When we misplaced the ball we did not placement ourselves nicely,” stated Guardiola

Barcelona’s next game will be towards Racing Santander on February 20st while Atletico Madrid will confront Almeria as website visitors on February 21st.

About the Writer

Ally White has been a prominent author on everyday Spanish League Soccer sports activities news and the sportsbetting marketplace for numerous excellent sport internet websites. You might reprint this write-up in its full content, make sure you be aware no modifications to it are accepted.