Barça wins on the field of Atlético de Madrid and consolidates its place as leader of La Liga

The game: 0-1

FC Barcelona won by a short header this Sunday evening on the field of Atlético de Madrid (1-0) during the shock of the 16th day of La Liga.

Without being brilliant, the players of Xavi ensured the essential is winning this duel at the top. By putting on the intensity from the start of the match, the Catalans were rewarded by the opener in the 22nd minute by Ousmane Dembélé perfectly offset by Gavi. The 2018 world champion’s crossfire left Oblak (22nd) no chance. This goal from Dembélé had the merit of waking up Atlético, which was more offensive and dominated the end of the first period without managing to equalise. Upon returning from the locker room, Atlético regained control of the match but lacked sharpness in front of the opposing goal. The two teams finished at ten when Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic received a red card for having believed themselves on a wrestling mat (90th + 1) then Antoine Griezmann believed to equalize but his shot was released by Araujo on his line (90th + 4).

This short success is the business of Barça, which takes the lead in La Liga alone after Real Madrid’s misstep on Saturday at Villarreal (1-2) while the Colchoneros are now five points from the podium.

The player: Dembélé, providential scorer

After scoring Wednesday, against Intercity (4-3, ap), in the King’s Cup, Ousmane Dembélé scored his second goal of the year, his fifth of the season in La Liga. The French striker was very prominent during this meeting at the Wanda Metropolitano and could even have scored a double but his shot was deflected in extremis for a corner by Savic (62nd). If Gavi was named best player of the match, Dembélé was undoubtedly the most dangerous Barcelonan.