The Calderón will deliver judgement on Wednesday
The Vicente Calderón has the floor. Fourth draw between Barcelona and Atlético but to one goal, like in the first leg of Spain’s Supercup. Great goal from Diego Ribas into the goalmouth’s corner and Neymar tied in the middle of the second time. Next Wednesday, we’ll have the second and final assault in Madrid.
BARCELONA 1 – 1 ATLÉTICO OF MADRID
Barcelona: Pinto; Dani Alves, Pique (Bartra, 11’), Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Cesc Fábregas (Alexis, 67’); Neymar, Messi and Iniesta.
Atlético of Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luis; Arda Turan (Cristian Rodríguez, 77’), Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Villa (Sosa, 70’) and Diego Costa (Diego Ribas, 30’).
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany). Yellow carded players from Barcelona Iniesta (55’), Jordi Alba (58’); and from Atlético Koke (18’), Gabi (38’), Arda Turan (43’), Juanfran (51’), Diego Ribas (79’), Sosa (91’).
GOALS:
0-1. 56’. Diego Ribas shoots from outside the box that flies through Pinto’s corner goalmouth.
1-1. 71’. Neymar crosses in front of Courtois after a pass from Iniesta.
The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Barcelona and Atlético of Madrid started as was expected, very tense, a lot of playing in the midfield and few opportunities, two per side. Finally, after the doubts created by the departure of Diego Costa from the pre-match training, the Spanish-Brazilian played, but he left the game injured after half an hour. On Barcelona’s side, Piqué also left with an injury in minute 11.
The first chance was for our team. After five minutes, Villa took advantage of a recovered ball to give Pinto a hard time. Later, The chances for Barcelona came, first for Neymar and afterwards for Messi, both with headers stopped by the Belgian goalkeeper. And, to finish act one, another opportunity for Villa, but his shot was cleared with difficulty by Pinto to prevent the first goal of the match.
The second half started better for our team, with a great goal from Diego Ribas after a foul throw from Barcelona’s mid-field that Gabi put on the Brazilian’s boots and a right foot drive from the Atlético that irrevocably went through the corner of the goalmouth, even though the goalkeeper touched the ball. Barcelona took a blow, but their heads sent them towards the attack. Busquets made Courtois do a spectacular save. It was the prelude of the equaliser, which came after a pass from Iniesta to Neymar, which the Brazilian made the most of to level the fight.
From there on until the end, Barcelona thoroughly searched for the goal, but found Courtois, who did a great save to a shot from Iniesta in minute 73 and then another one to a free kick from Messi. A draw in a great match between the leader and the second classified of the League moved to the Champions. Everything is still in play in the second leg. The Calderón will decide.
