Online Reporter
Robert Lewandowski shouldered home a dramatic late winner for Barcelona as they edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of LaLiga after Real Madrid slipped up.
Second-placed Real were beaten 2-1 at Mallorca earlier on and Barca capitalised at the Metropolitano stadium to take a big step towards defending the league title.Coach Hansi Flick said the race for the Spanish crown was not over but admitted it was an important victory. “We have eight games to play and for me nothing is done, we have to stay focused,” said Flick.
“The (players) were happy, everyone knows that these were big points today… but everyone knows it’s not done.”
Marcus Rashford pulled Barca level after Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half.Atletico midfielder Nico Gonzalez was sent off just before the break and his team dug deep with 10 men to try and avoid defeat, which they almost managed.
Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski had other ideas and used his shoulder to deflect home a rebound from point-blank range after 87 minutes.“We all knew what happened in the afternoon,” Barca defender Eric Garcia told DAZN.
“We knew that if we won today we would be taking a big step (towards the title), so we’re very happy.”This was the first of a trilogy of matches between the sides, clashing in the Champions League quarterfinals over the next fortnight.
With little left to play for in LaLiga, Atletico coach Diego Simeone rotated heavily with Wednesday’s visit to Camp Nou in mind.
Barca’s 18-year-old star Lamine Yamal hit the post with a dinked effort as the game flowed from end to end.Atletico took the lead in the 39th minute through Giuliano Simeone, the coach’s son bursting in behind Barca’s high defensive line and slamming past Joan Garcia.
The visitors pulled level just three minutes later, Rashford exchanging passes with Olmo and drilling past Juan Musso on only his third league start since January. Atletico were reduced to 10 men just before halftime when Gonzalez scythed down Yamal on the edge of the box as he ran towards goal.
Barcelona defender Gerard Martin was dismissed early in the second half as he thumped the ball away but then clattered Thiago Almada with a high foot. However after a VAR review the red card was revoked, much to Atletico’s fury.
Barca struggled to make their numerical advantage count until late on when Joao Cancelo’s shot was pushed out by Musso, only for substitute Lewandowski to cleverly turn home with his shoulder. — Supersport
