Incredibly, Atletico have scored a league-high 19 goals from headers this season. The Rojiblancos love to play above the rim, but they're coming up against a side that have conceded only one goal from such a situation, a mark that stands as the lowest in the division.
It didn't take long for Barcelona to put their stamp down in terms of possession. Early signs seem to point to Messi playing off the flank, with Suarez as the central striker. Bet he's thrilled.
Atletico are soaking up the Barcelona pressure but haven't been able to counter with any attacks of their own. It's just wall after wall of Colchoneros in front of Barca and Moya's goal.
Awesome directness from Neymar, who glides to the top of the box, and he sprays a cute ball into Messi. The Argentine shows great deftness to evade two men and advance to the near post, but on his chocolate right foot, he misses the target comfortably.
Goal Neymar
NEYMAR PUTS IT IN! BARCELONA LEAD! Messi rolls the ball around his man and feeds Suarez centrally, who quickly squares for Neymar to slap home at the far post! A scrappy goal where the players involved looked on the verge of losing their balance, but it's still a notch on the board.
Alba takes aim from the edge of the box and it needs a strong save from Moya to prevent a second! This is some incredible dominance by the Catalan giants, they have Atleti on the ropes!
Koke orchestrates what is Atletico's first real foray into the opposition half, but his effort from long distance was never heading on target. The ball is soon back in the visitors' half.
Gimenez executes a crunching challenge to halt Neymar form latching onto a bouncing ball at the edge of the area. It's a legal one but painful, and Neymar is down on the deck with blood soaking through his socks.
Neymar will leave the field on a medical cart as the referee wants to game to continue. It seemed like a legal challenge and only a flesh wound, but Gimenez came in with some juggernaut-level force.
Moments after Simeone and Enrique jaw at each other on the touchline, Jesus Gamez takes a chunk out of Messi out wide. Booking for the Atletico man, and this game is really starting to burn.
Gamez, normally a right-back by trade, has been drafted to the opposite flank specifically to deal with the threat of Messi. The Argentine started on the left but is now back in his old role of right-forward, and has kept Gamez very busy so far.
NEYMAR MISSES A SITTER! Suarez is the architect, nutmegging Gimenez with outrageous ease before smartly hanging a ball to the far post where Neymar is waiting. The Brazilian has all the time he needs to arch his back and guide a header on goal, but he can't find the target! Should have been two.
The Messi of the last decade was fond of cutting in from the right flank onto his left foot, but this current incarnation on the pitch today is reveling in beating his man to the byline. He takes Gamez out for lunch once again but Moya is at his near post to cover the Argentine's finish.
Goal Luis Suárez
ANOTHER ONE FOR BARCA! Messi steamrolls into the Atketico box and releases a pass for Suarez on the left at precisely the right moment. The former Liverpool man helps himself to a calm finish into the corner!
.jpg)
.jpg)
Post a Comment