Ferran Torres scored the match-winner as Barcelona secured another 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou. With this win, Barça edge closer toward the LaLiga title. Moreover, this win vs Atletico also stops the negative streak of results that Barcelona had in the last couple of weeks.
The first half saw Barcelona in control of possession, but Atletico had a couple of good chanced. However, just before the break, Raphinha found Ferran, and the Spanish winger scored the winner. Barça restore their 11-point lead over Real Madrid with just eight games to go.
Atletico’s 13-game unbeaten streak — stretching back to Barça’s win at the Metropolitano in January — came to an end. But Barcelona were close to scoring more vs Atletico. Gavi, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski all missed chances to seal the win earlier. Although Atletico also had their moments. On his return to Camp Nou, Antoine Griezmann hit the bar inside 40 seconds and was Atletico’s biggest threat throughout. Furthermore, the Frenchman also drew two saves from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who kept a 23rd clean sheet in 30 LaLiga games.
There was also positive news for Barça in the form of returns from injury for Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.
De Jong started and played almost 80 minutes, doing well before Franck Kessie replaced him in the latter stages of the game.
Meanwhile, Pedri came in as a second-half substitute to a great reception from more than 80,000 fans at the Spotify Camp Nou.
🎙Xavi in after match press conference
🗣: "We have beaten a great team and we have fulfilled the objective of continuing to advance towards the League title. Atlético played an extraordinary game. They haven't lost since we went to Metropolitano. It's an extraordinary victory." pic.twitter.com/uOp62WLf1V
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) April 23, 2023
Bottom line
Before Xavi’s arrival Barça had gone winless in 5 successive games vs Atleti. Under Xavi, Barça have won all of their 3 games. Before today, Atleti were unbeaten in 12 successive La Liga matches (10W, 2D). Their last loss was to Barça in early January and then today.
An opposition player is yet to score from open play at the Spotify Camp Nou in La Liga this season after 15 matches. • Barça have only conceded 2 goals in 15 La Liga games at home – one was a penalty vs Espanyol and the other was an Araujo own goal vs Real Madrid.
