FULL-TIME, Atlético 0-3 Barcelona: Barça are the first team to beat Atlético Madrid at home in La Liga this season and have done so with a performance built on excellent defending, great fighting spirt and brutal efficiency in front of goal. The Catalans are back in second place and with this win have virtually guaranteed a Top 4 finish and a spot in next season’s Champions League. Well done, boys!
90+3’ RED CARD: Atlético are down to 10 men at the very end as Nahuel Molina is shown a straight red card for a foul on Vitor Roque as the Brazilian was through on goal.
65’ GOAL!!!! Atlético 0-3 Barcelona (Fermín): IT’S THREE!!!! Barça are in dreamland after a long ball by Gündogan finds the run of Kounde who keeps it until he can find Lewandowski, who gets his second assist of the night with a perfect cross to find Fermín López all alone for an easy header as Barça triple their lead!!!
47’ GOAL!!! Atlético 0-2 Barcelona (Lewandowski): BARÇA DOUBLE THE LEAD!!! A crucial goal just after the restart as a bad pass by Rodrigo De Paul releases Raphinha who finds Lewandowski inside the box, and the Pole fires a beauty off the post and into the net!
SECOND HALF KICKOFF! Atlético 0-1 Barcelona: Back underway in Madrid!
HALFTIME, Atlético 0-1 Barcelona: Barça were second-best in every department for pretty much the entire half, but a five-minute spell of dominance earned them the opening goal and gives them the edge at halftime. But Atleti will no doubt increase the pressure in the second half, so Barça must play a lot better to secure the win.
42’ RED CARD: Barça lose their manager just before halftime as Xavi Hernández receives two yellow cards for dissent in less than three minutes and is sent to the stands.
38’ GOAL!!! Atlético 0-1 Barcelona (Félix): BARÇA TAKE THE LEAD!!! An extended spell of possession down the left wing ends with a pass by Ilkay Gündogan to find Robert Lewandowski inside the box, and the striker gives João Félix the assist as the Portuguese scores against his parent club in front of the Metropolitano crowd!!!
KICKOFF! Atlético 0-0 Barcelona: And we’re underway in Madrid!
LINEUP CHANGE: Barça have made an alteration due to an injury in warm-ups for Andreas Christensen, who is replaced by Fermín López in midfield.
WELCOME TO THE ESTADIO CÍVITAS METROPOLITANO!!! The spectacular home of Atlético Madrid in the Spanish capital is the site of a monster La Liga clash between the hosts and Barcelona, who come into this one looking for three points to solidify their spot in the Top 4. But it won’t be easy against an Atlético side nearly unbeatable at home and with high spirits following a big night in Europe in midweek. This should be fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!
(Note: the comments will be open only when the team news come out, because our commenter people love commenting and sometimes there are too many comments in the comments section)
LINEUPS
BARCELONA
Starting XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Fort; Roberto, Christensen, Gündogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Félix (4-3-3)
Substitutes: Peña (GK), Kochen (GK), Iñigo, Alonso, Romeu, Casadó, Fermín, Yamal, Roque, Guiu
ATLÉTICO MADRID
Starting XI: Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Reinildo; Molina, Llorente, Barrios, De Paul, Lino; Morata, Riquelme (3-5-2)
Substitutes: Moldovan (GK), Gomis (GK), Azpilicueta, Gabriel, Koke, Saúl, Vermeeren, Griezmann, Memphis, Correa
MATCH INFO
Competition/Round: 2023-24 La Liga, Matchday 29
Date/Time: Sunday, March 17, 2024, 9pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 8pm GMT (UK), 4pm ET, 1pm PT (USA), 1.30am IST (India, Monday)
Venue: Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez
VAR: Mario Melero López
HOW TO WATCH
On TV: ESPN Deportes (USA), SuperSport (Nigeria), Sports18 (India), ITV 4, Viaplay Sports 1 (UK), Not Available (Canada, Spain), others
Online: ESPN+ (USA), ITVX, LaLigaTV (UK), DAZN (Spain), others
Matchday Thread Rules
We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:
Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.
Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!
