Atletico Madrid 1-1 Barcelona
In some football games, it’s more important not to lose than it is to win.
And that is exactly what this top La Liga clash proved.
Indeed, as we entered the closing stages of the contest, we were approaching a fact which, given the talent on display inside the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, would shock any SBOBET fans.
The fact that, since Opta Sports started recording such data in 2005-06, no La Liga game had finished without a shot on target.
Then the man who needed a goal more than anyone pounced!
Highlights of the game
Diego Costa, the man without a goal for the Rojiblancos since February when he netted against Sevilla (18 games ago), headed the ball home following an Antoine Griezmann corner, and the stadium erupted.
It was the first effort on target, and boy did the game need it.
Like buses, you wait for an effort on target and then two come along at once as Barca skipper Lionel Messi tested Jan Oblak with a free-kick before Sergio Busquets, on a milestone night for the midfielder, saw a shot blocked.
The Catalans were on course for a second successive defeat.
It seemed Costa had won the day and that the hosts were destined to go top, but then Ousmane Dembele, who had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes, controlled a Messi pass and composed himself before firing the ball beyond Oblak and Lucas Hernandez on the goal-line.
Honours even and as you were at the top of the table in a game billed as a potential early title decider.
It may not take long to package the La Liga 2018 highlights from this one, but it was quite a finish to a contest which had failed to burst into the life for the previous 77 minutes.
That perhaps was surprising given both clubs were given a major boost before kick-off when Real Madrid were surprisingly hammered by Eibar.
Both sets of players arrived to a spectacular backdrop, a stunning show of lights followed by chants as fans unveiled the biggest tifo display in Atletico’s 115-year history.
‘You are Spain’s essence and the giant of football’ was the poetic message spelt out in the massive display, along with the silhouette of a player kicking a ball.
The phrase corresponds to the anthem of the old Metropolitano back in the late 1940s and is a tribute to the club’s historic past.
When the match began moments later, it was anything but stunning.
Thomas Lemar, Arturo Vidal and Messi all mustered efforts in a first half interrupted by fouls and stoppages.
Indeed, it says much that the most notable aspect of the first period was an injury to Sergi Roberto, playing in a more advanced role in the absence of Ivan Rakitic, which saw him unable to reappear for the second half after sustaining a hamstring injury.
Arthur and Messi saw efforts blocked early after the restart, but that was literally it in terms of any goalmouth action until Costa sparked a lively last quarter.
In the end, a draw was a fair result in an encounter which saw eight players cautioned by referee Jesus Gil Manzano. Atletico move to the second spot behind the leaders – although Sevilla can leapfrog both sides with a win tomorrow.
It also protected Barca’s fine La Liga record against Atletico and showed why they remain title favourites with La Liga 2018 betting odds.
Key statistics
This was Busquet’s 500th game for the club. Only six other players have reached that feat – Xavi (the record holder at 767), Andres Iniesta, Messi, Carlos Puyol, Migueli and Victor Valdes.
Of the three efforts on target in the whole match, two resulted in goals.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 17 La Liga games against Atletico Madrid (won 12, drawn five).
Atletico last defeated Barca in La Liga in February 2010 at their former Vicente Calderon Stadium. The scorers that day were Diego Forlan, Simao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Half of Atletico’s outfield team had to be passed fit to play in this one – Lemar, Savic, Costa, Koke and Hernandez.
This was Dembele’s first action since he was criticised for missing a training session.
Top of Form
What’s next?
It’s Monaco at home next for Atletico Madrid (November 28) as they aim to clinch qualification for the Champions League knockout stages.
Then it’s a trip to Girona next weekend.
Barcelona need a point at home to PSV Eindhoven to seal their own progression in Europe’s top competition on the same night before welcoming Villarreal in La Liga next Sunday (December 2).
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
