BARCA 1 V 1 A. MADRID
MATCH REPORT
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL 1st Leg
The rematch at Atlético’s Vicente Calderón Stadium promises to be some encore, although it will be of grave concern to manager Diego Simeone that Diego Costa, his most influential player, had to be removed in the first half with a pulled hamstring. For large swathes of this match Barcelona threatened to overwhelm their rivals, even if some of their masterly build-up play tended towards over-elaboration. Atlético responded in the fashion that has become their habit, harassing and harrying the opposition with all their being, although sustaining such obduracy over 180 minutes is an arduous proposition. “This is the story of Atlético,” said Simeone. “They always play with their heart and strength, working and never giving up.”
By the finale there was a sense that Barcelona were finding their irrepressible rhythm once the shock of Ribas’ fabulous goal, a 25-goal spectacular strike that dipped and swerved in the air before arrowing into the top corner, had subsided.
Neymar’s riposte was almost as good, a beautifully-placed finish after Iniesta had put him through, and as referee Felix Brych sounded his whistle, few doubted that the blaugrana were firmly in the ascendancy. Still, every one of the four meetings with Atlético during this campaign have ended in draws. The knowledge that the fifth must yield a decisive result generates a gnawing pressure upon both clubs.